Vol. 53 - Alaska Resources Library and Information Services

2) In May and June of all years combined, the majority of these larvae
were distributed between the 75 and 125 m depth interval.
3) A significantly higher mean density of larvae was found in water
75-100 m deep in the eastern region of the southeastern Bering Sea
during May and June of the year 1978 than in 1980 or 1981.
4) High densities ranging from 13,675 to 100,788 were found in May and
June throughout the major area of distribution in the years 1978,
1980, and 1981.
5.3.2.4 Cancer spp.
Seasonal Occurrence:
The six larval stages of Cancer spp. appeared in
the plankton samples collected in the years 1976 to 1981 combined from
mid-April to early-October, which is a period of 24 weeks (Fig. 5.3).
Individual larval stages were collected during this time period as follows:
SI, from mid-April to mid-July; SII, from late-April to mid-
July; SIII from early June to mid-July and October; SIV in mid-July; SV
in late-June, mid-July and October, and megalops larvae in late-June and
October.
Distribution and Density:
Larvae were found in 13% of all samples sorted
from 1976-1981. The frequency-of-occurrence was highest in strata 4,
5, and 12 (73%, 57%, and 67%, respectively) and was low in all others
(Table 5.8).
Cancer larvae were most abundant near Unimak Island and
over the shelf break west of Unimak Pass (Fig. 5.15).
High densities
along western Unimak Island was likely due to larvae of Cancer oregonensis
where adults are common in rocky cobble substrate, and larvae in
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