The effects of temperature and salinity on larval development of Armases rubripes Rathbun, 1897 (Brachyura, Grapsoidea, Sesarmidae), and the southern limit of its geographical distribution

The southernmost stable population of Armases (¼ Metasesarma) rubripes (Brachyura, Grapsoidea, Sesarmidae) is found in Montevideo, Uruguay, in the northeastern coast of the Rio de la Plata estuary. Isolated individuals have seldom been collected in the southwestern coast of this huge estuary. Since pelagic larvae are primarily responsible for the dispersion of A. rubripes, and crab larvae are generally less tolerant than adults to extreme environmental conditions, we tested the survival and intermolt period of zoeae in different combinations of salinity (10, 20, and 30 psu) and temperature (16 and 20 C). These salinity and temperature conditions are usually found in the estuary and adjacent waters during spring and summer. We found that the survival rate of the larvae increased and they developed faster at 30 psu and 20 C. It is unlikely that larvae from the Montevideo population of A. rubripes could be transported south and westward due to the hydrographic conditions of the region. The Rio de la Plata seems to function as a biogeographic barrier to A. rubripes, and probably to other crab species as well. However, this barrier is not absolute: it hinders, but does not entirely prevent, the dispersal of larvae.