SEASONAL OCCURRENCE, DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF Callinectes LARVAE (DECAPODA, CRUSTACEA, BRACHYUR

From January to December 2015, researchers at Parrot Island investigated the seasonal presence, distribution, and abundance of Callinectes larvae in the micro layer (air-water interface) in the Cross River State Estuary, Nigeria. The presence of crab larvae in the micro layer in changing numerical and relative abundance, from which recruitment into the adult standing stock may occur, was confirmed by observations. The larvae were mostly made up of zoeae. The crab larvae distribution peaked in May and June, when 269 (13.26 percent) and 267 (13.17 percent) of the larvae were collected, respectively. The smallest number of crab larvae was gathered in December, with 117 individuals making up 5.77 percent of the total population. The larval abundance ranged from 117 to 269 individuals (5.77% to 13.26%), with a mean of 193.0 27.7 individuals (19.03 8.72%). The quantity of Callinectes larvae obtained varied significantly (P 0.05) depending on the month of sampling.

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