Distribution of Macrocrustaceans in Relation to Abiotic and Biotic Variables across the Yangtze River Estuary, China

ABSTRACT Chao, M.; Shi, Y.; Quan, W., and Shen, X., 2015. Distribution of macrocrustaceans in relation to abiotic and biotic variables across the Yangtze River Estuary, China In this article, we report on a study of the spatial and seasonal distribution of macrocrustaceans and reveal the correlation between macrocrustacean community and environmental variables in the Yangtze River Estuary, China. A total of 44 species belonging to 21 families were identified during sample collection in May, August, and November 2010 and February 2011. Species richness of four survey trips showed significant differences among seasons and zones. The most frequent species identified were Neoeriocheir leptognathus (M.J. Rathbun, 1913) in February and May; Palaemon gravieri (Yu, 1930) in August; and Exopalaemon annandalei (Kemp, 1917) in November. The mean macrocrustacean abundance in May 2010, August 2010, November 2010, and February 2011 was 24.94, 19.82, 29.46, and 17.14 individuals/1000 m2, respectively. The distribution o...