Abundance, development stage, and size of decapod larvae through the Bering and Chukchi Seas during summer

Crustacean decapods are key components that structure the benthic ecosystems in the Subarctic/Arctic regions and support one of the largest fishery industries, but their larval dynamics are largely unknown. To investigate variability in decapod larvae community in this region, we analysed plankton samples collected during the summers of 2007 and 2008 along the southeastern Bering and Chukchi Seas. Distribution of adult population was studied using bottom trawling during 2008 cruise. Larvae of Pagurus spp., Hyas spp., and the commercially important Chionoecetes bairdi and Chionoecetes opilio were the most abundant species. The distribution of benthic adults linked to those of planktonic larvae and may favour recruitment near suitable habitats and the maintenance of the populations. Earlier larval stages of C. bairdi, C. opilio, and Hyas spp. were more abundant in 2008 than in 2007. The body size of C. opilio showed a significant latitudinal pattern, in which larger sizes occurred at higher latitudes in association with distinct temperature and food conditions. We argue that annual changes in abundance and developmental stage structure of planktonic larvae seemed to be related to the 1 month delay in the sampling period and are not determined by the contrasting environmental conditions observed in both years.