Seasonal Abundance of Brachyuran Crab Larvae in a Tropical Estuary: Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica, Central America

Abstract

Brachyuran crab larvae were sampled approximately monthly at four stations in the Gulf of Nicoya, a tropical estuary on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Central America. The gulf was divided into two regions based on physical and chemical characteristics. Larvae were identified to five families: Ocypodidae, Pinnotheridae, Portunidae, Majidae, Xanthidae. The abundance and distribution of these taxa were similar to that found in temperature estuaries of North America. Ocypodids, pinnixids, and xanthids were most common in the estuarine upper-gulf region while portunids were more common in the lower gulf. Majids were found in small numbers in the lower gulf. Only the ocypodids showed a consistent pattern in vertical distribution; larvae of this taxon were always more common in surface water. There was no consistent pattern in the seasonal abundance of the various taxa when compared among stations.