Mussel farms are one of the most important modalities of aquaculture and constitute almost 80% of the total bivalve production in Brazil, representing about 5% of the national production. Brachyuran crabs are common inhabitants of these environments and represent an important link in coastal marine food chains. Th e aim of this investigation is to describe the population structure orIgInal artIcle Nauplius BraZIlIan crustacean socIety Nauplius orIgInal artIcle Nauplius BraZIlIan crustacean socIety Nauplius This article is part of the tribute offered by the Brazilian Crustacean Society