Modulating factors of the abundance and distribution of (Latreille, 1819) (Decapoda, Portunoidea), a fishery resource, in Southeastern Brazil.

This is the first study to examine how different environmental factors may influence the distribution of swimming crab across geographically distant and distinct habitats. We analyzed the influence of bottom water temperature and salinity, sediment texture and organic matter content on the spatiotemporal distribution of . The crabs were collected from January 1998 until December 1999 by trawling with a shrimp fishing boat outfitted with double-rig nets.