Abstract
Tamiahua is one of the largest estuarine-lagoonal systems in the Mexican Gulf of Mexico. It has great economic and ecological importance due to high fisheries productivity and because it serves as a nursery, feeding and reproduction area for numerous populations of fishes and crustaceans. Spatial and temporal variations of fish diversity, abundance, dominant species and community inhabitants were determined based on samples taken on a bimonthly basis from May 1994 to March 1995. A total of 83 species, 62 genera and 32 families were collected, of which 14 species, 8 genera and 3 families were recorded for the first time in this area. Based on our collections and earlier reports, 136 species are known to use this lagoon system at some stage of their life cycle. The highest diversity and abundance values occurred during the rainy season (H'n = 2.7, D = 7.1, and J' = 0.6; biomass = 59.3 g m–2, density = 5.8 ind m–2, and average weight = 10.2 g ind–1). Seasonal fluctuation of these parameters reflects the life cycles of different species (mainly the dominant species) related to the environmental dynamics of the ecosystem. Based on a graph-statistical analysis of the abundance and frequency data of 22,984 individuals, the fish species inhabiting the system were classified into four groups: resident, transient, irregular and rare. This analysis revealed the presence of 9 resident species, representing 77% and 73% of the total number of individuals and biomass, respectively. In order of importance, these species were Anchoa mitchilli, Membras vagrans, Hyporhamphus roberti, Bairdiella chrysoura, Eucinostomus melanopterus, Strongylura notata, Mugil curema, Achirus lineatus, and Cynoscion nebulosus.
Highlights
IntroducciónTropical lagoon-estuarine ecosystems are often characterized by high ecological complexity, high habitat and species diversity, and high productivity (Day et al, 1989)
Several fishery resources occur in the lagoon systems of the Gulf of Mexico, including a high diversity of important fish species
There is a great interaction between lagoonal habitat types and different fish groups because these areas are used during several stages of the life cycle of species with different biological requirements (Yáñez-Arancibia et al, 1985)
Summary
Tropical lagoon-estuarine ecosystems are often characterized by high ecological complexity, high habitat and species diversity, and high productivity (Day et al, 1989) Because of these factors, the understanding of these ecosystems requires multi-disciplinary and integrative approaches to achieve sustainable management (Yáñez-Arancibia et al, 1992). Several fishery resources occur in the lagoon systems of the Gulf of Mexico, including a high diversity of important fish species Despite their importance, the knowledge of fish ecology for many areas in the southern gulf is still incomplete, with regard to distribution, abundance, feeding, growth and reproduction patterns. There is a great interaction between lagoonal habitat types and different fish groups because these areas are used during several stages of the life cycle of species with different biological requirements (Yáñez-Arancibia et al, 1985). All of the species have some ecological importance
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