Haline Tolerance of Stomatopod (Crustacea) Larvae and Pelagic Dispersal of Two Common Species in the Western Atlantic

Abstract

Pelagic larval stages play a critical role in the dynamics of marine populations since they are the main way of dispersal and habitat colonization. Here, we examined the larval dispersal pathways of two common stomatopod species in the western Atlantic: Squilla empusa and Lysiosquilla scabricauda. To complement this goal, we also analyzed the haline tolerance of the stomatopod larvae collected in an estuary from the southern Gulf of Mexico. Larval dispersal was simulated using a Lagrangian particle‐tracking module coupled to the Global HYCOM model and consisted of releasing 100 passive particles from each starting site. Results indicated a high level of larval retention in the west Florida shelf and over the narrow western shelf of the Gulf of Mexico. In the South Atlantic Bight, Central America, and northern South America the larval transport was almost unidirectional following the pattern of currents. Generally, connections were among nearby sites, but long‐distance transport can also occur when larvae are trapped by great high‐speed currents. Retention of larvae and connection with neighboring sites were due to local atmospheric and hydrological conditions. During fieldwork, we found two kinds of larvae: antizoea and alima. Morphological characteristics of the antizoea correspond to the superfamily Lysiosquilloidea, and those of the alima, with the superfamily Squilloidea. The antizoea larvae were found in salinity values as low as 21.9 psu, while the alima were at 23.2 psu. Salinity tolerances and dispersal potential of larvae indicate a high level of colonization of new habitats and a broad intrusion into the estuaries.