Abstract
Larval Cancer spp. and Randallia ornata make a diurnal vertical migration between the neuston and the waters near the bottom over the continental shelf, or to depths <80 m in the waters off the shelf. The time of day spent in the neuston differs with ontogenetic stage and may affect dispersal. Zoea stages I to IV were in the neuston during the night and may experience net offshore transport due to surface currents generated by the land breeze. Stage V zoeas and megalopas entered the neuston during the afternoon or evening, but migrated back down into the water column between 20.00 and 02.00 hrs. These late larval stages may experience net onshore transport due to surface currents generated by the sea breeze.
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Communicated by J. M. Lawrence, Tampa
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Shanks, A.L. Vertical migration and cross-shelf dispersal of larval Cancer spp. and Randallia ornata (Crustacea: Brachyura) off the coast of southern California. Marine Biology 92, 189–199 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392836
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392836