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Geostatistical analysis of densities of Liocarcinus depurator (Brachyura: Portunidae) on the western Mediterranean from 1994 to 2003

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Abstract

Bottom trawl estimates of densities of the portunid crab Liocarcinus depurator along the Mediterranean coast of Spain from 1994 to 2003, covering a depth range of 50–800 m, were analysed using non-linear geostatistical techniques. The variation of the spatial distribution was modelled through variogram analysis using depth as a covariate. Patch size ranged from 20 to 75 km. Crab density showed a general decrease from 1994 to 2003. L. depurator high-density areas were characterised as either occasional or permanent (always present every year). High-density patches appeared to be associated with either upwelling or strong river influence, i.e. the Western Alborán Sea and the Ebro Delta. The application of non-linear geostatistical techniques proved useful in identifying permanent high-density population patches, thereby highlighting regions of special interest for the ecology of the species.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the members of the MEDITS_ES cruises. Furthermore, special thanks to Vanessa Stelzenmüller for the great discussions and support on the first steps of MMR into geostatistical analysis. Information on the oceanographic characteristics of the coast has been greatly improved with the comments and help of Jordi Salat, Joan Fabres and Tina Schoolmeester. This work was inserted on MMR PhD program and was financed by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia BD/21569/99.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CripSul, Ipimar, Av. 5 Outubro, s/n, 8700-305, Olhão, Portugal

    Marta M. Rufino

  2. Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC), Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain

    Marta M. Rufino, Francesc Maynou & Pere Abelló

  3. Schoool of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales—Bangor, LL59 5EY, Gwynedd, UK

    Marta M. Rufino & Andrew B. Yule

  4. Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Muelle Pesquero s/n, Apdo.285, 29640, Fuengirola (Málaga), Spain

    Luis Gil de Sola

Authors
  1. Marta M. Rufino
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  2. Francesc Maynou
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  3. Pere Abelló
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  4. Andrew B. Yule
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  5. Luis Gil de Sola
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Correspondence to Marta M. Rufino.

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Communicated by S.A. Poulet, Roscoff

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Rufino, M.M., Maynou, F., Abelló, P. et al. Geostatistical analysis of densities of Liocarcinus depurator (Brachyura: Portunidae) on the western Mediterranean from 1994 to 2003. Mar Biol 149, 855–864 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0253-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0253-0

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