CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

The aim of this study was to analyze the ecological influence of seasonal temperature variations on embryonic development in two species of Majoidea. Leurocyclus tuberculosus and Libinia spinosa inhabit stable populations in the San José Gulf (‎42°25′41″S, 64°08′27″O, Patagonia-Argentina) in a wide depth range and seasonal temperature variations from 8 °C to 18 °C. The influence of seasonal temperatures on embryonic development was examined in a bioassay maintaining ovigerous females of both species in the laboratory at 8 °C, 14 °C, and 18 °C from gastrula to hatching. Additionally, monthly female samplings were conducted for one year, characterizing their spatial depth distribution associated with the seawater temperature in the study area and their ovigerous/non ovigerous condition. Laboratory experimental results showed that the duration of incubation increased 67 % in L. tuberculosus and 55% in L. spinosa by a decline in temperature from 18 ºC to 8 °C with one diapause period. The embryonic development was divided in five periods for the 3 assayed temperatures. The assayed temperatures did not affect the morphology of the embryo, and its growth during each period did not present significant differences among temperatures. The field analysis showed significant differences in the spatial distribution of ovigerous females associated to the assessed temperatures along the year. This distribution might modulate the development of embryos leading to two spawnings synchronized with the phyto- and zooplankton peaks in the San José gulf. The ecological and potential impact of ocean warming in these species were also addressed. Keywords: temperature; embryology; bathymetric distribution; crustacean; climate change

enviar mensaje