Peliz A. auteur aut IRD Marchesiello P. auteur aut IRD Dubert J. auteur aut IRD Marta Almelda M. auteur aut IRD Roy Claude auteur aut IRD Queiroga H. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access A high resolution nested model of the Western Iberia shelf is developed and compared with field observations. We use an embedded particle tracking submodel that includes advection, diffusion, and diel vertical migration to simulate crab larvae dispersal. A set of experiments with varying oceanographic conditions and Lagrangian model parameters is analysed. It is found that major dispersal patterns that were observed in nature are reproduced in the model. The floats drift within meridionally elongated patches parallel to the coast usually inshore of the 100 in isobath. This distribution is controlled by local wind-driven circulation, buoyancy input from adjacent rivers, local topography, and vertical diel movements. River plumes are critical factors for retention patterns as they influence the near surface stratification, surface Ekman layer and innershelf processes. Weakly stratified coastal waters associated with low river run-off generate an enlarged innershelf whose dynamics tend to trap the floats and force them to drift along-wind. We find that the response to downwelling-favourable winds is always more dramatic than upwelling-favourable ones and this asymmetry results in a net Lagrangian transport directed poleward. Analyses of float distributions show that a large part of the floats (similar to 50%) is actually retained in the shelf zone near the emission points. A dispersal distance (L-d) of about 60 km is estimated which is mostly representative of along-shore dispersion. Some consequences of our results to local population dynamics are finally discussed. specialized Western Iberia larval dispersal dispersal distance crab larvae 034 68 1-2 215-236 2007 0924-7963 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010040913 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2006.11.007 0924-7963 [F B010040913] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010040913 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2008/01/010040913.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2008-02-22 2017-08-23 fdi:010040913 fre