Variabilidad estacional de la distribución y abundancia de larvas de langostino colorado en la zona norte de Chile (Decapoda, Anomura, Galatheidae)

Abstract

An analysis was made of the distribution and abundance of red squat lobster (Pleuroncodes monodon) larvae off the mouth of the Loa River, northern Chile (20°40'-21°20'S) during oceanographic cruises in January, May, August and October 2003. A total of 20 oceanographic stations were occupied, with zooplankton samples taken using Bongo nets towed from the surface to 100 m depth. Other data obtained at each station included temperature, dissolved oxygen, and seawater density. Maxima of abundance of these larvae were recorded in January and August, with a minimum in May. On N-S tracks the highest abundances were recorded in the northern sector. A more homogeneous distribution of abundance was observed in October. On E-W tracks a differentiated pattern was observed, where zoea stages III-V and megalopae occurred in the oceanic (westward) samples. Also, a seasonal tendency was noted, with foci of larval abundance associated with stations having average temperatures of 14.0-16.0°C and dissolved oxygen concentrations of 1.58 - 4.55 mL·L-1.