Abstract
Abstract The influence of salinity and temperature on larval fish assemblages, as well as, temporal and vertical patterns on larval fish assemblages off the inlet of the Presidio River, southeast coast of the Gulf of California were evaluated. Samplings for ichthyoplankton and environmental parameter measurements were carried out at three depths, in five sampling sites, during September and December 1994, and April and June 1995. Anchovies and herrings (Clupeiformes) were the most abundant larval fish accounting for 77% of the total abundance. A significant relationship between salinity and the abundance of larval herrings (Opisthonema medirastre and O. dovii) and between the water temperature and the abundance of the weakfish (Cynoscion reticulatus) was found. Anchovies (Anchoa lucida, A. walkeri, and A. nasus) were present in all sampled months, while O. medirastre and O. dovii occurred in December and June, and C. reticulatus in September. Larvae of pelagic fish were more abundant near the surface, while larvae of demersal fish were more abundant near the bottom. The present study, by emphasising the importance of considering temporal and vertical changes in larval fish assemblages in coastal environments with ecological and economic importance, will be useful for designing more efficient sampling programs.
Highlights
In coastal ecosystems, ichthyoplankton research has particular importance in ecological studies, allowing knowledge of the population dynamics of commercial species (Hale et al, 2018); determining spawning areas and times (Beck et al, 2003; Macedo-Soares et al, 2009), and taxonomy, helping to complete the life cycle of the species (AcevesMedina et al, 2003)
Given the scarce information that currently exists on the ecology of ichthyoplankton in the eastern coast of the Gulf of California the goal of this work was to study the temporal and vertical variability in the larval fish community off the inlet of the Presidio river, which belongs to the Huizache-Caimanero estuarine system in southern Sinaloa
Ichthyoplankton samples collected during four sampling cruises on board the R/V El Puma were analysed (September 1994 - autumn, December 1994 - winter, April 1995 spring, and June 1995- summer)
Summary
Ichthyoplankton research has particular importance in ecological studies, allowing knowledge of the population dynamics of commercial species (Hale et al, 2018); determining spawning areas and times (Beck et al, 2003; Macedo-Soares et al, 2009), and taxonomy, helping to complete the life cycle of the species (AcevesMedina et al, 2003). Environmental conditions fluctuate at different time and space scales inducing high variability on the structure and distribution of fish larvae and eggs, as well as other planktonic populations (Primo et al, 2011; Bruno et al, 2018; Zhang et al, 2019) Mixing processes such as those occurring in estuarine areas, where freshwater courses discharge into the sea, lead to a considerable vertical variation in factors like light, currents, hydrostatic pressure, and food availability (Gibson, 2003; Miller, 2007; Hale et al, 2018). These vertical changes affect the abundance, composition, and vertical distribution of larval fish (Olivar et al, 2018; Reglero et al, 2018) and can affect essential ecological processes such as feeding, transport, growth, recruitment, and scielo.br/ni | sbi.bio.br/ni
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