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Transport of Crab Larvae between Estuaries and the Continental Shelf

  • Conference paper
Coastal-Offshore Ecosystem Interactions

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes on Coastal and Estuarine Studies ((COASTAL,volume 22))

Abstract

Estuarine crabs release their larvae freely into the water column in spite of the risk of these larvae being transported out of the estuary onto the continental shelf. Many species have evolved behavioral traits that in combination with horizontal advection retain the larvae near favorable adult habitat. Leakage of these species onto the shelf results in loss of the larvae to adult population. Behavioral models resulting in retention include: 1) constant maintenance of position deep in the water column, 2) downstream advection of surface-dwelling, immature larvae, and 3) tidally rhythmic vertical migration of larvae. Larvae of some species appear to be adapted for routine dispersal onto the continental shelf. These larvae must be transported back to suitable estuarine habitat for adult existence. Models for transport back to the estuary include: 1) active horizontal swimming by mature larvae or juveniles, 2) seaward advection of surface-dwelling, immature larvae followed by landward advection of bottom-dwelling, mature larvae, 3) transport of mature larvae in convergence zones associated with landward movement of tidally induced, internal waves, and 4) wind-generated surface transport of mature larvae. A number of case studies involving well-studied estuarine species are reviewed in the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware, Lewes, DE, 19958, USA

    Charles E. Epifanio

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  1. Charles E. Epifanio
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Askö Laboratory, University of Stockholm, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden

    Bengt-Owe Jansson

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© 1988 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Epifanio, C.E. (1988). Transport of Crab Larvae between Estuaries and the Continental Shelf. In: Jansson, BO. (eds) Coastal-Offshore Ecosystem Interactions. Lecture Notes on Coastal and Estuarine Studies, vol 22. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-52452-3_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-52452-3_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-19051-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-52452-3

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