Fisheries & Aquaculture

Biography

Biography: Ma. Eugenia Vega-Cendejas

Abstract

The nature semi-closed of the Gulf of México, together with its oceanographic pattern and freshwater discharges, provide a rich region considering biodiversity. However, the demersal fish community structure is almost not known, even that this great ecosystem has been continuously impacted by oils spills and over exploitations of fishery resources. The present study was developed to evaluate spatial variation of the demersal fish community, considering depth gradient in the platform and channel of Yucatan in southern Gulf of Mexico. Fish sampling was realized in 18 stations with an oceanographic ship using a shrimp trawl at 99 m as average depth. A total of 130 species were recorded, where Serranidae family was the most diverse (10 species), following in importance Paralichthyidae (eight species), Sparidae and Triglidae with seven species each. The most representative specie considering density was Syacium papillosum (12.4% del total). The highest density and biomass were recorded in the Channel of Yucatan due to the abundance of Sphoeroides spengleri and Syacium papillosum. Considering fish composition and abundance, three groups of stations were associated. Fish abundance relationship to three ranges of depth was not significant. However, in the superior stratum (<50 m), the highest species richness (103) was obtained; while at 100 m, the diversity (3.35 bits) was recorded. By contrast, at the highest depth (>200 m), the lowest species richness (41) and diversity (2.9 bits) were found. These results are the first ones conducted in the region, contributing to the management of the large ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico in order to stop further decline in biodiversity. This information is also a line base to evaluate the changes in demersal fish community originated by oil spills and other stressors related with climate change.