Background.

In Veracruz, Mexico, 68 species of estuarine decapod crustaceans have been recorded. Of these, 11 belong to the infraorder Caridea, and 8 species have been recorded in freshwater systems.

Goals.

The present study analyzed the specific richness and abundance of carideans postlarvae and their relationship with the dynamics of environmental factors in the estuary of the Jamapa River, Veracruz, southwest of the Gulf of Mexico.

Methods.

The following environmental factors were measured: dissolved oxygen, temperature, total dissolved solids, pH, and salinity. The captures were made with light traps and shrimp bait. The generalized least squares model was used to determine the relationships between the environmental factors with the five months and five sampling sites. The generalized linear model was used to determine the relationships between the abundance of the postlarvae and the months, sites, and environmental factors.

Results.

A total of 8,649 carideans postlarvae were collected, of which 257 belonged to Macrobrachium acanthurus, 1,016 belonged to M. olfersii, and 7,376 belonged to Potimirim mexicana. The highest abundance of the three species was found at the site located on the dock of the Boca del Río Technological Institute, with 6,627 carideans.

Conclusion.

The abundances of postlarvae of P. mexicana and M. olfersii were within the values reported in other studies. However, the abundance of M. acanthurus was low, which may be related to the high values of total dissolved solids or overfishing. The highest density of postlarvae of carideans occurred in the rainy season in sites with Thypha domingensis vegetation.