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Vertical Migration Of Blue Crab Callinectes Sapidus Megalopae: Implications For Transport In Estuaries, Ej Olmi

VIMS Articles

Following larval development in coastal waters, postlarvae (megalopae) of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun enter inlets and, against the net seaward flow of estuarine waters, move upstream to juvenile habitats. Abundance and vertical distribution of blue crab megalopae in the York River, Virginia, USA, a subsetuary of Chesapeake Bay, was quanitified to examine the hypothesis that megalopae are not transported simply as passive particles, but display behaviors that augment their immigration. Megalopal abundance and depth distribution and environmental variables were measured at shallow (3 to 4 m) sites in 1988 and 1989 and at a deep (10 m) site …