Spatio-temporal distribution and abundance patterns of red crab Pleuroncodes planipes related to ocean temperature from the Pacific coast of the Baja California Peninsula

Abstract

Latitudinal and bathymetric patterns in the distribution and abundance of the deep sea red crab Pleuroncodes planipes along the Pacific coast of the southern part of the Baja California Peninsula were analyzed. Six research cruises were conducted between autumn (October–November 2004) and spring (March 2007). During this time, El Nino events occurred, allowing for exploration of the effect of this phenomenon on the dynamics of red crab distribution and abundance. The highest estimated biomass was 436,804 metric tons with a yield of 2014 kg h−1 of trawling. Red crab specimens were widely distributed in the study area with varying abundance, notably around Bahia Magdalena. Results from this study suggest that environmental changes have had a significant effect on the distribution and abundance of red crabs. El Nino events of 2004 and 2006 changed red crab behavior and affected the resource’s availability. Data were also analyzed with a general linear modeling (GLM) framework to assess the variability in presence/absence data and catch rates (dependent variables) across the simultaneous effects of the season, latitude and depth gradients and bottom temperature (independent variables). The best binomial model selected on the basis of Akaike´s information criterion suggests that the variable season significantly contributed to the presence/absence of red crab. The best gamma conditional model for positive occurrences suggests that the explanatory variables of season, depth stratum and bottom temperature significantly contribute to explain the catch rate.