Temporal and spatial distribution of the crab Callinectes sapidus (Decapoda: Portunidae) in Chetumal Bay, Quintana Roo, Mexico. In order to determine temporal and spatial distribution patterns of Callinectes sapidus, samplings were carried out during the cold-front (January-February), dry (May-June) and rainy (August-September, 2002) climatic seasons, in 30 sampling stations of Chetumal Bay, grouped in sectors A (14 stations), B (eight stations) and C (eight stations). In each sampling station crabs were collected from two transects parallel to the coast, each with three traps, separated by 30 m. Sediments were calcareous coarse and medium sand, white or lightly gray. A total of 1 031 specimens were collected. CPEU (Capture Per Effort Unit) differed spatially and temporally. Highest CPEU was found in sector C with 1.3 ind•trap -1 , and in the rainy season with 1.1 ind•trap -1 . Population was predominantly composed of male individuals. The male:female ratio was 15:1. Males and adults (group II) CPEU was significant different between sectors and climatic seasons. Both males and adults (group II) had a greater CPEU in sector C (1.2 ind•trap -1 ) and in the rainy season (1.1 ind•trap -1 ). Abundance of female and juvenile individuals (group I) was low during the sampling period whereas group 0 juvenile individuals were not found. A greater relative frequency between sectors and climatic seasons were observed in 130-139 mm and 140-149 mm size interval (CW). C. sapidus occurred on sandy sediments in Chetumal Bay. Pearson product moment correlations exhibited significant relationships between CPEU and temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen. In Chetumal Bay, the spatial and temporal distribution of C. sapidus can be related to salinity, temperature, habitat quality, food availability, recruitment and reproduction events of individuals. Rev. Biol. Trop. 55 (1): 235-245. Epub 2007 March. 31.

The American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, has been reported to be illegally caught for use as Octopus spp. bait in some localities of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. To learn if the octopus fishery could be negatively influencing the limulus populations in the area, L. polyphemus individuals were sampled twice a year, before and after the annual octopus fishing season, over 4 consecutive years (2015)(2016)(2017)(2018) in Río Lagartos and San Felipe, both in the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve (RLBR), Yucatán. Quadrants were drawn perpendicular to the mangrove edge, physicochemical parameters in the water (depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, and electrical conductivity) were determined, and granulometry of marine sediments was measured (Folk technique). The number of live specimens, number of females, and average length were recorded. No significant differences were found for the physicochemical properties of water or the recorded sedimentology (P > 0.05). Samplings revealed a low number of organisms per site: 22 in Río Lagartos and 24 in San Felipe, both from data before the start of the 2017 octopus fishing season. In the samplings after the start of the 2018 octopus fishing season, only 2 organisms were observed in Río Lagartos and none in San Felipe. The results showed a significant decrease in the number of live L. polyphemus specimens after the beginning of the octopus fishing season and a decrease in the average length of organisms, suggesting a negative effect of mollusk fishing activities on the horseshoe crab populations. More studies are required that integrate other physicochemical, biological, and socioeconomic factors to elucidate the potential threat of this fishery on L. polyphemus populations in the RLBR.

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