12 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables In October 1977 the model of general circulation of the water masses off the coast of Galicia, and the presence of a coastal upwelling, led to a high primary productivity. This high productivity in turn favoured the development of a rich population of decapod larvae. The abundance and distribution pattern of these organisms were closely linked (i) to the abundant presence of the corresponding adult species in the area, (ii) with the spatial distribution of phytoplanktonic populations concurrently studied by Estrada [J. Plankton Res ., 6, 417-434 (1984)] and (iii) with the hydrodynamic pattern in the area. Fifty-two decapod larvae taxa were identified and Solenocera membranacea, Pisidia longicornis,Pilumnus hirtellus and Goneplax rhomboides were the most representative species It was observed that the greatest concentrations of larvae (3387 larvae 10-2 m-3) were to be found near the mouth of the Rfas Baixas (situated in the south-west of the coastal area) and in some zones further out to sea (863 larvae 10-2 m-3) (due to a process of hydrodynamic transport) © 1991 Oxford University Press