LARVAS DE CRUSTÁCEOS DECÁPODOS DEL ARCHIPIÉLAGO JUAN FERNÁNDEZ (33^o 40’ S - 78^o 50’ W) E ISLAS DESVENTURADAS (26^o 20’ S - 80^o 05’ W)*

DECAPOD CRUSTACEAN LARVAE FROM JUAN FERNÁNDEZ ARCHIPELAGO (33^o 40’ S - 78^o 50’ W) AND DESVENTURADAS ISLANDS (26^o 20’ S - 80^o 05’ W)*

ARMANDO MUJICA

Facultad de Ciencias del Mar Universidad Católica del Norte. Casilla 117, Coquimbo. E-mail: amujica@ucn.cl

Recepción: 18 de octubre de 2003 - Versión corregida aceptada: 21 de marzo de 2006.

ABSTRACT

Species composition, spatial distribution and abundance of decapod crustacean larvae were studied in an ample and poorly known stretch of the Eastern Pacific Ocean between Valparaíso, the Juan Fernández Archipelago and Desventuradas Islands. This is to support further knowledge of the decapod crustacean fauna of an area of the Pacific Ocean where coastal, insular and open oceanic environmental conditions are combined with variations that will determine distribution of both zooplanktonic larvae as well as benthic adults.

Among the results obtained; is remarkable to mention the higher relative abundance and species richness on plankton sampling stations near Valparaíso shores in respect to open oceanic waters.

LARVAS DE CRUSTÁCEOS DECÁPODOS DEL ARCHIPIÉLAGO JUAN FERNÁNDEZ (33o 40’ S - 78o 50’ W) E ISLAS DESVENTURADAS (26o 20’ S - 80o 05’ W)*

LARVAS DE CRUSTÁCEOS DECÁPODOS DEL ARCHIPIÉLAGO JUAN FERNÁNDEZ (33^o 40’ S - 78^o 50’ W) E ISLAS DESVENTURADAS (26^o 20’ S - 80^o 05’ W)*