Abstract
Distribution patterns and abundance of the epiplanktonic shrimp Lucifer were examined in the East China Sea (23°30′–33°N, 118°30′–128°E), in relation to temperature and salinity. A total of 443 samples were collected from four seasonal surveys conducted between 1997 and 2000. The yield density model was used to predict optimal temperature (OT) and optimal salinity (OS) of four Lucifer species: Lucifer typus, L. hanseni, L. intermedius and L. penicillifer. Thereafter, their distribution patterns were determined. The results indicated that these species are the most abundant in summer. Lucifer typus, with OT of 28.0°C and OS of 33.8, is considered to be an oceanic tropic water species. The species is mainly found in the northern waters off Taiwan in summer and autumn. Lucifer hanseni, L. intermedius and L. penicillifer, with OTs of 26.4, 28.0, 27.4°C and OSs of 33.6, 33.4, 33.2, are off-shore subtropical water species. They are mainly distributed in the south off-shore the East China Sea and north of Taiwan.
