The larvae of coastal species interact with nearshore currents that are complex and can alter dispersal. I investigated two sites in southern Oregon with different nearshore hydrodynamics: the first site, Sunset Bay, is a small cove with a topographic front that extends across the mouth during upwelling-favorable winds. Using holey sock drogues at 1.5 m and 5.5 m depths and surface drifters at 10 cm depth, I found that, when the front was present, water at 1.5 m was retained within the bay whereas water was exchanged across the front at a depth of 5.5 m. Surface drifters indicated a surface convergence. Surface plankton tows on either side and within the frontal convergence (a shore-parallel foam line) found significantly higher concentrations of barnacle cyprids, crab megalopae and zoea, polychaete larvae, platyhelminthes juveniles, isopods, amphipods, harpacticoid copepods, and fish eggs. Crustacean nauplii (barnacle, euphausiid, and copepod) and calanoid copepods were not concentrated in the convergence, and when the front and foam line were absent, no taxa were concentrated. Plankton tows taken within the foam line as it dissipated shoreward during a wind-reversal event found that concentrations of cyprids, megalopae, and gastropod veligers remained high as the foam line moved, suggesting that it acts as a moving convergence propagating competent larvae shoreward. I measured settlement of two taxa at Sunset Bay and Shore Acres, an open-coast site <2 km away. Barnacle settlement measured every other day from June-September 2013 was significantly cross-correlated with the maximum daily tidal height at lags of -2 days at Sunset Bay and +2 and +4 days at Shore Acres. Settlement was also significantly negatively cross-correlated with wave height at a lag of -4 days at Sunset Bay. Coralline algae settlement measured during eight 48-hr periods in July-August 2013 was significantly negatively correlated with wave height (n = 8, R2 = 0.76, P = 0.0049) at Shore Acres but not at Sunset Bay. Despite the close proximity of the Sunset Bay and Shore Acres sites, settlement patterns differed between taxa, suggesting that differences in nearshore hydrodynamics might affect the supply of water and larvae to shore. This dissertation includes unpublished co-authored material.

Zooplankton data from the 1988-2007 Station L4 time-series were used to determine inter-and intra-annual patterns of meroplankton community change at Station L4, Plymouth, UK. Abundances were calculated for five groups: Cirripedia, Decapoda, Polychaeta, Echinodermata and Bivalvia. Analyses showed that, while there is some annual variability, seasonal variation accounts for the major changes in the meroplanktonic community composition throughout the time-series. Cirripedia were the only group to show any significant change in abundance over the time-series. Further sampling at the study site produced data at a finer taxonomic resolution allowing for the analyses of the seasonal cycles of abundance of previously unresolved families and genera from the 1988-2007 time-series. A similar pattern was shown to that seen in the earlier time-series with no evidence of major changes in the meroplanktonic community being found. Comparison with historical data taken from Lebour (1947) showed little evidence of major variation in meroplanktonic species composition. The limitations of traditional methods of taxonomic resolution were highlighted during these analyses and led to the investigation of molecular techniques as a viable aid to identification. Bivalve larval samples were identified to species in many cases using PCR and sequencing reactions focussing on the 18S rRNA gene. Larvae of Phaxas pellucidus were shown to be the most common, and further analysis revealed the presence of two groups of species within the data over the time sampled, comprising the larvae of several hard-substrata species. Development of an RFLP technique focussing on the mtCOI gene, allowed for the successful discrimination of porcellanid larvae to species that were unable to be resolved morphologically. Long-term data-sets play an important role in revealing the long-term patterns of community composition and abundance of meroplanktonic larvae and should be continued to identify those patterns not evident over the time-period studied. Molecular techniques were valuable in aiding the taxonomic resolution of meroplanktonic larvae, allowing previously unknown patterns of species diversity and richness to be ascertained.

O presente estudo descreve a composição, densidade e a variação temporal, espacial e nictemeral das larvas de crustáceos decápodes e estomatópodes das águas de superfície do arquipélago de São Pedro e São Paulo. As expedições ao arquipélago foram realizadas em abril, agosto e novembro de 2003, março de 2004 e maio de 2005. Os arrastos de plâncton foram horizontais e de superfície, realizados pela manhã e ao anoitecer, na enseada e a aproximadamente 150, 700 e 1500 m de distância do arquipélago. Foram identificadas 51 táxons de decápodes e 6 de estomatópodes. Novas ocorrências incluem sete espécies, oito gêneros e a presença de indivíduos das famílias Oplophoridae, Pandalidae, Scyllaridae e Portunidae. A densidade larval média variou de zero a 150,2 ± 69,6 indivíduos · 100 m-3 nas águas ao redor do arquipélago e de 1,7 ± 3,0 a 12.827,1 ± 15.072,9 indivíduos · 100 m-3 na enseada. Foram verificadas diferenças significativas na densidade larval entre os meses e períodos de coleta, mas não entre as distâncias de 150, 700 e 1500 m. A frequência de ocorrência e a densidade média de cada táxon identificado variaram entre os meses, períodos e locais de amostragem. Os resultados sugerem que a enseada e as águas ao redor do arquipélago são diferentes em termos de composição, densidade, e diversidade larval. / The present study describes the composition, density and the temporal, diel and spatial distribution of decapod and stomatopod larvae present in surface waters of Saint Paul\'s Rocks. The expeditions to the archipelago were carried out in April, August and November of 2003, March of 2004 and May of 2005. Surface plankton samples were collected during the morning and dusk, inside the bay and in stations 150, 700 and 1500 m away from the archipelago. The identification resulted in 51 decapod and 6 stomatopod larvae. Seven species, eight genera and individuals belonging to the families Oplophoridae, Pandalidae, Scyllaridae and Oplophoridae were identified for the first time in the area. The mean larval density varied from zero to 150,2 ± 69,6 individuals · 100 m-3 in the waters around the archipelago and from 1,7 ± 3,0 to 12.827,1 ± 15.072,9 individuals · 100 m-3 inside the bay. Significant differences in larval density were verified between months and day periods, but not among different distances from the archipelago. The results suggest that the bay and the waters around the archipelago are different in terms of larval composition, density and diversity.

A Baía do Almirantado (Ilha Rei George, Antártica) possui diversas pequenas enseadas de águas rasas, que sustentam uma abundante fauna bentônica. O regime de marés e de ventos é responsável pelo hidrodinamismo na baía e pela interação com as águas do Estreito de Bransfield. Portanto, trata-se de uma área que pode apresentar uma elevada abundância de larvas de invertebrados marinhos. A distribuição espaço-temporal de larvas pelágicas em águas rasas costeiras da Baía do Almirantado foi estudada entre outubro de 2002 e maio de 2003, e outubro de 2003 e agosto de 2004 em 12 estações rasas (0 a 15 m, ou até 30 m). Também foram amostradas, sazonalmente, quatro estações de maior profundidade, entre 0 a 30 m e 30 a 130 m da coluna de água, entre outubro de 2003 e abril de 2004. Amostras de plâncton foram coletadas com rede cônica de plâncton com malha de 150 &#181;m nas três enseadas da baía (Martel, Mackellar e Ezcurra) e na entrada do seu canal principal. Larvas de diferentes grupos ocorreram em todo o período de estudo. No primeiro ano, a abundância total foi maior que no segundo e, em especial, no verão. As larvas véliger de Gastropoda foram mais abundantes, representando 84% do total do meroplâncton, no primeiro ano de amostragem. No ano seguinte, larvas trocófora foram predominantes (31% do total), seguidas de Gastropoda e Nemertea. Os resultados mostraram uma evidente variação interanual da densidade e da composição do meroplâncton, mas sem um padrão nítido de sazonalidade para determinados grupos. O congelamento da baía no inverno do primeiro ano de amostragem (2002) pode ter afetado a reprodução dos invertebrados bentônicos e a produção de larvas. Quanto à distribuição batimétrica, a abundância média do meroplâncton total foi maior na camada profunda do que na de superfície, na primavera-verão, mas espacialmente a densidade foi semelhante entre as áreas nas distintas camadas. A variabilidade na abundância e composição larval pode estar relacionada à hidrografia e a padrões reprodutivos das espécies bentônicas com desenvolvimento indireto, cujos ciclos reprodutivos são afetados por características ambientais. Em termos gerais, o meroplâncton coletado na Baía do Almirantado foi qualitativamente similar (quanto aos grupos de larvas) ao descrito para outras partes da Antártica. / Admiralty Bay (King George Island, Antarctica) has many small inlets of shallow waters, which supports an abundant benthic fauna. Tidal and wind regime are responsible for the hydrodynamics in the bay and for the interaction with the waters of the Bransfield Strait. Therefore, it is an area that can present a high abundance of marine invertebrate larvae. Spatio-temporal distribution of pelagic larvae in shallow coastal waters of Admiralty Bay was studied between October of 2002 and May of 2003, and October of 2003 and August of 2004 in twelve shallow stations (0 to 15 m, or up to 30 m). Four deeper stations were also seasonally sampled (0 to 30 m and 30 to 130 m of water column) between October of 2003 and April of 2004. Plankton samples were collected with a conical net, with mesh size of 150 &#181;m, in the three inlets of the bay (Martel, Mackellar and Ezcurra) and in the entrance of its main channel. Larvae of different groups occurred in the whole studied period. In the first year, the total abundance was higher than in the second and, especially, in the summer. The veliger larvae of Gastropoda were more abundant, representing 84% of the total meroplankton in the first year of sampling. In the following year, trochophore larvae were predominant (31% of the total), followed by Gastropoda and Nemertea. The results showed an evident interannual composition and density variation of meroplankton, but without a clear pattern of seasonality for certain groups. The freezing of the bay in the winter of the first year could have influenced the benthic invertebrate\'s reproduction and larvae production. Regarding to the bathymetric distribution, the mean abundance of the total meroplankton was higher in the deeper layer than in the surface in spring-summer, however, spatially the density was similar among the areas in the different layers. The variability in the larval composition and abundance may be related to the local hydrography and specific reproductive pattern of the benthic species with indirect development, whose reproductive cycles are affected by environmental characteristics. In general terms, the meroplankton collected in Admiralty Bay was qualitatively similar (in view of the larval groups) to the described for other parts of Antarctica.

A Baía do Almirantado (Ilha Rei George, Antártica) possui diversas pequenas enseadas de águas rasas, que sustentam uma abundante fauna bentônica. O regime de marés e de ventos é responsável pelo hidrodinamismo na baía e pela interação com as águas do Estreito de Bransfield. Portanto, trata-se de uma área que pode apresentar uma elevada abundância de larvas de invertebrados marinhos. A distribuição espaço-temporal de larvas pelágicas em águas rasas costeiras da Baía do Almirantado foi estudada entre outubro de 2002 e maio de 2003, e outubro de 2003 e agosto de 2004 em 12 estações rasas (0 a 15 m, ou até 30 m). Também foram amostradas, sazonalmente, quatro estações de maior profundidade, entre 0 a 30 m e 30 a 130 m da coluna de água, entre outubro de 2003 e abril de 2004. Amostras de plâncton foram coletadas com rede cônica de plâncton com malha de 150 &#181;m nas três enseadas da baía (Martel, Mackellar e Ezcurra) e na entrada do seu canal principal. Larvas de diferentes grupos ocorreram em todo o período de estudo. No primeiro ano, a abundância total foi maior que no segundo e, em especial, no verão. As larvas véliger de Gastropoda foram mais abundantes, representando 84% do total do meroplâncton, no primeiro ano de amostragem. No ano seguinte, larvas trocófora foram predominantes (31% do total), seguidas de Gastropoda e Nemertea. Os resultados mostraram uma evidente variação interanual da densidade e da composição do meroplâncton, mas sem um padrão nítido de sazonalidade para determinados grupos. O congelamento da baía no inverno do primeiro ano de amostragem (2002) pode ter afetado a reprodução dos invertebrados bentônicos e a produção de larvas. Quanto à distribuição batimétrica, a abundância média do meroplâncton total foi maior na camada profunda do que na de superfície, na primavera-verão, mas espacialmente a densidade foi semelhante entre as áreas nas distintas camadas. A variabilidade na abundância e composição larval pode estar relacionada à hidrografia e a padrões reprodutivos das espécies bentônicas com desenvolvimento indireto, cujos ciclos reprodutivos são afetados por características ambientais. Em termos gerais, o meroplâncton coletado na Baía do Almirantado foi qualitativamente similar (quanto aos grupos de larvas) ao descrito para outras partes da Antártica. / Admiralty Bay (King George Island, Antarctica) has many small inlets of shallow waters, which supports an abundant benthic fauna. Tidal and wind regime are responsible for the hydrodynamics in the bay and for the interaction with the waters of the Bransfield Strait. Therefore, it is an area that can present a high abundance of marine invertebrate larvae. Spatio-temporal distribution of pelagic larvae in shallow coastal waters of Admiralty Bay was studied between October of 2002 and May of 2003, and October of 2003 and August of 2004 in twelve shallow stations (0 to 15 m, or up to 30 m). Four deeper stations were also seasonally sampled (0 to 30 m and 30 to 130 m of water column) between October of 2003 and April of 2004. Plankton samples were collected with a conical net, with mesh size of 150 &#181;m, in the three inlets of the bay (Martel, Mackellar and Ezcurra) and in the entrance of its main channel. Larvae of different groups occurred in the whole studied period. In the first year, the total abundance was higher than in the second and, especially, in the summer. The veliger larvae of Gastropoda were more abundant, representing 84% of the total meroplankton in the first year of sampling. In the following year, trochophore larvae were predominant (31% of the total), followed by Gastropoda and Nemertea. The results showed an evident interannual composition and density variation of meroplankton, but without a clear pattern of seasonality for certain groups. The freezing of the bay in the winter of the first year could have influenced the benthic invertebrate\'s reproduction and larvae production. Regarding to the bathymetric distribution, the mean abundance of the total meroplankton was higher in the deeper layer than in the surface in spring-summer, however, spatially the density was similar among the areas in the different layers. The variability in the larval composition and abundance may be related to the local hydrography and specific reproductive pattern of the benthic species with indirect development, whose reproductive cycles are affected by environmental characteristics. In general terms, the meroplankton collected in Admiralty Bay was qualitatively similar (in view of the larval groups) to the described for other parts of Antarctica.

O presente estudo descreve a composição, densidade e a variação temporal, espacial e nictemeral das larvas de crustáceos decápodes e estomatópodes das águas de superfície do arquipélago de São Pedro e São Paulo. As expedições ao arquipélago foram realizadas em abril, agosto e novembro de 2003, março de 2004 e maio de 2005. Os arrastos de plâncton foram horizontais e de superfície, realizados pela manhã e ao anoitecer, na enseada e a aproximadamente 150, 700 e 1500 m de distância do arquipélago. Foram identificadas 51 táxons de decápodes e 6 de estomatópodes. Novas ocorrências incluem sete espécies, oito gêneros e a presença de indivíduos das famílias Oplophoridae, Pandalidae, Scyllaridae e Portunidae. A densidade larval média variou de zero a 150,2 ± 69,6 indivíduos · 100 m-3 nas águas ao redor do arquipélago e de 1,7 ± 3,0 a 12.827,1 ± 15.072,9 indivíduos · 100 m-3 na enseada. Foram verificadas diferenças significativas na densidade larval entre os meses e períodos de coleta, mas não entre as distâncias de 150, 700 e 1500 m. A frequência de ocorrência e a densidade média de cada táxon identificado variaram entre os meses, períodos e locais de amostragem. Os resultados sugerem que a enseada e as águas ao redor do arquipélago são diferentes em termos de composição, densidade, e diversidade larval. / The present study describes the composition, density and the temporal, diel and spatial distribution of decapod and stomatopod larvae present in surface waters of Saint Paul\'s Rocks. The expeditions to the archipelago were carried out in April, August and November of 2003, March of 2004 and May of 2005. Surface plankton samples were collected during the morning and dusk, inside the bay and in stations 150, 700 and 1500 m away from the archipelago. The identification resulted in 51 decapod and 6 stomatopod larvae. Seven species, eight genera and individuals belonging to the families Oplophoridae, Pandalidae, Scyllaridae and Oplophoridae were identified for the first time in the area. The mean larval density varied from zero to 150,2 ± 69,6 individuals · 100 m-3 in the waters around the archipelago and from 1,7 ± 3,0 to 12.827,1 ± 15.072,9 individuals · 100 m-3 inside the bay. Significant differences in larval density were verified between months and day periods, but not among different distances from the archipelago. The results suggest that the bay and the waters around the archipelago are different in terms of larval composition, density and diversity.

A composição e distribuição das larvas pelágicas dos invertebrados bênticos do Banco dos Abrolhos, em especial de caranguejos braquiúros, foram investigadas com base em duas abordagens de campo, em larga e pequena escala. A primeira abrangeu todo o banco e regiões adjacentes, com 46 estações de coleta amostradas uma única vez, entre julho-agosto de 2007. Na segunda, as coletas de plâncton ocorreram em dois períodos e se concentraram ao redor do Recife de Sebastião Gomes (a 15 km da costa) e do Arquipélago dos Abrolhos (a 60 km). Em larga escala, as comunidades meroplanctônica e de larvas de Brachyura foram divididas em comunidades de águas rasas (profundidade < 100 m), com maior abundância e diversidade, e de águas profundas (profundidade > 450 m), indicando que o meroplâncton está bem distribuído ao longo do banco, mas que evita a dispersão para o oceano aberto. A composição de larvas de Brachyura atesta que não houve influência estuarina na área de estudo. Entretanto, a ocorrência e dominância de larvas de espécies típicas do entremarés apenas nas estações mais costeiras, sugere a existência de um mecanismo de retenção larval na região oeste do banco. A homogeneidade na distribuição e abundância das larvas de braquiúros somada às altas concentrações de zoés iniciais da maior parte dos táxons por toda a área rasa indica a existência de certo grau de conectividade via dispersão larval entre as populações adultas. Na pesquisa em pequena escala, a comparação entre os dois ambientes do Banco de Abrolhos com base nos grandes grupos meroplanctônicos não resultou em nenhuma diferença. Por outro lado, a composição da comunidade de larvas de Brachyura diferiu entre os ambientes, mas apenas em termos de espécies dominantes. No geral, não foram verificadas diferenças entre os dois períodos de coleta nas áreas rasas investigadas. O trabalho de identificação das larvas de Brachyura levou à elaboração da primeira chave de identificação ilustrada que engloba as larvas já descritas de todas as espécies do litoral brasileiro. / The composition and distribution of benthic invertebrate larvae of Abrolhos Bank were investigated in this study, with emphasis on brachyuran crabs. A mesoscale field approach encompassed the entire bank and adjacent areas from the inner shelf to the open ocean, where vertical plankton tows were carried out between July-August 2007. Meroplankton larvae, including brachyuran representatives, were more abundant and diverse in shallow stations (depth <100 m) than in deep water (depth> 450 m), suggesting that meroplankton is well distributed along the bank but avoids advection towards the open ocean. The estuarine influence on the study area was negligible or virtually inexistent, as suggested by the brachyuran larval composition. However, the occurrence and dominance of larvae of intertidal species in stations close to the coast suggest the existence of a larval retention mechanism in this area. The homogeneity in the distribution and abundance of brachyuran larvae added to the high concentration of initial zoeae of most taxa across the entire shallow area indicate the existence of some degree of connectivity via larval dispersion among adult populations. In addition to the mesoscale study, a small-scale sampling scheme around Sebastião Gomes reef (15 km from the coast) and Abrolhos Archipelago (60 km) was implemented in two seasonal periods. No difference was found between these two environments based in terms of abundance and ecological indexes. On the other hand, the composition of the brachyuran community was different between the environments, especially in the case of dominant species. No seasonal differences were detected in those shallow areas. The identification of brachyuran larvae during the course of this study led to the development of the first key for the identification of known first zoeal stages of brachyuran crabs from the Brazilian coast.

A composição e distribuição das larvas pelágicas dos invertebrados bênticos do Banco dos Abrolhos, em especial de caranguejos braquiúros, foram investigadas com base em duas abordagens de campo, em larga e pequena escala. A primeira abrangeu todo o banco e regiões adjacentes, com 46 estações de coleta amostradas uma única vez, entre julho-agosto de 2007. Na segunda, as coletas de plâncton ocorreram em dois períodos e se concentraram ao redor do Recife de Sebastião Gomes (a 15 km da costa) e do Arquipélago dos Abrolhos (a 60 km). Em larga escala, as comunidades meroplanctônica e de larvas de Brachyura foram divididas em comunidades de águas rasas (profundidade < 100 m), com maior abundância e diversidade, e de águas profundas (profundidade > 450 m), indicando que o meroplâncton está bem distribuído ao longo do banco, mas que evita a dispersão para o oceano aberto. A composição de larvas de Brachyura atesta que não houve influência estuarina na área de estudo. Entretanto, a ocorrência e dominância de larvas de espécies típicas do entremarés apenas nas estações mais costeiras, sugere a existência de um mecanismo de retenção larval na região oeste do banco. A homogeneidade na distribuição e abundância das larvas de braquiúros somada às altas concentrações de zoés iniciais da maior parte dos táxons por toda a área rasa indica a existência de certo grau de conectividade via dispersão larval entre as populações adultas. Na pesquisa em pequena escala, a comparação entre os dois ambientes do Banco de Abrolhos com base nos grandes grupos meroplanctônicos não resultou em nenhuma diferença. Por outro lado, a composição da comunidade de larvas de Brachyura diferiu entre os ambientes, mas apenas em termos de espécies dominantes. No geral, não foram verificadas diferenças entre os dois períodos de coleta nas áreas rasas investigadas. O trabalho de identificação das larvas de Brachyura levou à elaboração da primeira chave de identificação ilustrada que engloba as larvas já descritas de todas as espécies do litoral brasileiro. / The composition and distribution of benthic invertebrate larvae of Abrolhos Bank were investigated in this study, with emphasis on brachyuran crabs. A mesoscale field approach encompassed the entire bank and adjacent areas from the inner shelf to the open ocean, where vertical plankton tows were carried out between July-August 2007. Meroplankton larvae, including brachyuran representatives, were more abundant and diverse in shallow stations (depth <100 m) than in deep water (depth> 450 m), suggesting that meroplankton is well distributed along the bank but avoids advection towards the open ocean. The estuarine influence on the study area was negligible or virtually inexistent, as suggested by the brachyuran larval composition. However, the occurrence and dominance of larvae of intertidal species in stations close to the coast suggest the existence of a larval retention mechanism in this area. The homogeneity in the distribution and abundance of brachyuran larvae added to the high concentration of initial zoeae of most taxa across the entire shallow area indicate the existence of some degree of connectivity via larval dispersion among adult populations. In addition to the mesoscale study, a small-scale sampling scheme around Sebastião Gomes reef (15 km from the coast) and Abrolhos Archipelago (60 km) was implemented in two seasonal periods. No difference was found between these two environments based in terms of abundance and ecological indexes. On the other hand, the composition of the brachyuran community was different between the environments, especially in the case of dominant species. No seasonal differences were detected in those shallow areas. The identification of brachyuran larvae during the course of this study led to the development of the first key for the identification of known first zoeal stages of brachyuran crabs from the Brazilian coast.

If we want to understand how meroplankton utilize the water column and how their vertical distribution may influence horizontal advection, it is important to study their behavior in the various environments where they exist. In a well-mixed system with physical cues dampened, and no vertical layering, these organisms will have to depend on environmental cues such as light, tidal current, and tide cycle, as well as their own swimming ability to migrate vertically. Plankton and water samples were collected at three depths (near surface, midwater, near bottom) during the summers of 2013 and 2014 from sites within the main channel of the Intracoastal Waterway. Six taxonomic groups were collected including polychaetes, bivalves, gastropods, barnacles, tunicates, and crabs, and fell into one of three categories of vertical distribution. Certain preferences for vertical distribution, and habitat, of sessile invertebrates can increase, or provide refuge from, competition. To assess the potential competition for spatial resources between native and nonnative bivalves in the Guana Tolomato Matanzas estuary, settlement collectors with settlement plates at different depths were deployed for one month periods during the summers of 2013 and 2014 at two main channel sites and two feeder creek sites. Competition would likely be highest subtidally and within the main channel due to all species occurring in that habitat in higher numbers than the feeder creek.

The high productivity of Eastern Boundary Upwelling Ecosystems (EBUE), some of the most productive ecosystems in the globe, is attributed to the nutrient rich waters brought up through upwelling. Climate change scenarios for coastal upwelling systems, predict an intensification of coastal upwelling winds. Associated with intensification in upwelling are biogeochemical changes such as ocean hypoxia and ocean acidification. In recent years, the California Current System (CCS) has experienced the occurrence of nearshore hypoxia and the novel rise of anoxia. This has been attributed to changes in the intensity of upwelling wind stress. The effects of some of the more severe hypoxia and anoxia events in the CCS have been mass mortality of fish and benthic invertebrates. However, the impacts on zooplankton in this system are not known. Meroplankton, those organisms which have a planktonic stage for only part of their life cycle, are an important component of zooplankton communities. The larval stage of benthic invertebrates forms an important link between benthic adult communities and planktonic communities. Larvae serve to disperse individuals to new locations and to link populations. They are also food for fish and planktonic invertebrates. This important life stage can spend long periods in the plankton (from days to months) where environmental conditions can affect larval health, subsequent settlement and recruitment success, and juvenile health. This research assesses the role of hypoxia and larval survivorship, and the relationship between individual abundance and community structure of larvae to environmental factors in the field. In laboratory experiments (Chapter 2), a suite of 10 rocky intertidal invertebrate species from four phyla were exposed to low oxygen conditions representative of the nearshore environment of the Oregon coast. Results revealed a wide range in tolerances from species with little tolerance (e.g. the shore crab Hemigrapsus oregonensis) to species with high tolerance (e.g. the California mussel Mytilus californianus). The differential responses across larvae to chronic hypoxia and anoxia potentially could affect their recruitment success and consequently, the structure and species composition of intertidal communities. Field studies (Chapter 3 & 4) explore the relationship between environmental variables and larval abundance and community structure. Chapter 3 focuses on broad taxonomic groups, while Chapter 4 focuses on larval decapods in particular. Fine focus was devoted to decapod larvae, due to laboratory findings of heightened sensitivity to hypoxia of decapod crabs. A finding that is also supported in the literature. The goal of field studies was to identify the environmental parameters that structure meroplankton and larval decapod communities and identify which of these parameters play a significant role in influencing larval abundance. A number of environmental variables contributed to meroplankton assemblage structure and larval decapod assemblage structure. These included distance from shore, depth, date, upwelling intensity, dissolved oxygen, and cumulative wind stress. Some of these factors occurred frequently in larval abundance models. In Chapter 3, individual abundance across broad taxonomic groups was most commonly explained by upwelling intensity while in Chapter 4, individual abundance of different decapod species was explained by cumulative wind stress, which is a proxy for upwelling intensity. The prominent role of upwelling related factors in explaining individual abundance is important considering climate change projections of an increased intensification of upwelling winds in EBUE. / Graduation date: 2012 / Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from Jan. 6, 2012 - Jan. 6, 2013