MOVEMENTS OF THE TERRESTRIAL HERMIT-CRAB, COENOBITA-CLYPEATUS (CRUSTACEA, COENOBITIDAE)

Time variation of sea surface temperature on the Gulf of Honduras is s tudied. Data: acquired from a station located in Cayos Cochinos (15 de grees 57'N-86 degrees 29'W), as well as satellite image's from NOAA - 12 and NOAA - 14 polar orbiting satellite are used. Sea surface temper ature data obtained in the ground station show a well defined seasonal cycle, in which low temperatures observed during the first months of the year are associated with coastal upwelling. These events are a con sequence of the surface waters dynamic adjustment resulting from a mom entum transfer due to the easterly trade winds. Additionaly, during th e same period of the year the oceanic area adjacent to Bay Islands sho ws a decrease in temperature, due to a cyclonic (counter-clockwise) ro tation presents in the current pattern from January to March. Very lik ely, the formation of this cyclonic cell, is the combination of two di fferent and complementary dynamic phenomena. The former, presumably as sociated with a dynamic response to the ''wall effect'' resulting from advected waters from the Caribbean Current plunging over the northern Central American Isthmus, derivating to the south to form part of the above mentioned cyclonic movement. The latter is associated to the ch aracteristic Honduras coastal upwelling circulation.