Variability in supply and cross-shelf transport of pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus duorarum) postlarvae into western Florida Bay

摘要: The variability in the supply of pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus duorarum) postlarvae and transport mechanisms planktonic stages were investigated with field data simulations transport. Postlarvae entering nursery grounds Florida Bay collected for three consecutive years at channels that connect Gulf Mexico, Middle Keys southeastern margin Atlantic Ocean. influx was low magnitude varied seasonally among years. In contrast, greater postlarval occurred northwestern border Bay, where there a strong seasonal pattern peaks from July through September each year. Planktonic need to travel up 150 km eastward between spawning (northeast Dry Tortugas) (western Bay) about 30 days, estimated time development this species. A Lagrangian trajectory model developed estimate drift across SW shelf. simulated maximal distance traveled by under various assumptions behavior. Simulation results indicated larvae traveling instantaneous current exhibiting diel behavior 65 75% only km. However, increased substantially when larval response tides added behavioral variable (distance 200 85% km). question is, during development, on shallow shelf, does tidal become incorporated into shrimp.