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High species richness of early stages of fish in a locality of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System: a small-scale survey using different sampling gears

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Abstract

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) contains a diverse array of coastal habitats that are critical for the survival of the early stages of reef fish; however, the knowledge on the abundance and distribution of the early stages of coastal fishes is still limited in this region. This study investigated the species richness of larval and juvenile fishes using a combination of a sled net, standard plankton net, and a nightlight lift-net; these were deployed simultaneously at Bacalar Chico, a site on the MBRS within the protected “Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak” (PNAX). We collected 53 families and 118 species of larval and juvenile fishes in a small area of about 3 km2. This species diversity of early life-history stages is greater than previously found in surveys on the MBRS. Each gear caught a number of species exclusively, so combined sampling with the three methods provided a much fuller picture of the local larval and juvenile fish assemblage. A species-accumulation model estimated that the samples likely represented 84% of the total assemblage. Many species caught were represented predominantly by newly settled juveniles, underscoring the importance of this coastal habitat for settlement of many ecologically and economically important fish species. This information is expected to improve the conservation and management strategies in the fragile PNAX coastal zones by providing additional information based on original field data to raise awareness among managers about the ecological relevance of these coastal habitats. This study provides encouraging evidence that the PNAX is a well-suited natural protected area to preserve a critical fish habitat in a hotspot of marine biodiversity.

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Abbreviations

MBRS:

Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System

PNAX:

Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak

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Acknowledgments

These results are part of the doctoral thesis of the first author being conducted through in CINVESTAV-Unidad Mérida. We thank to César Quintal and Daniel Robledo for field assistance. Margarita Ornelas helped with sample sorting and pre-classification of larvae, José Cohuo and Uriel Ordóñez participated in the process of identification of larvae. Mario Yescas prepared the map. Eduardo Suárez-Morales provided constructive criticism and valuable editorial assistance. Funding was provided in part by CONABIO project S026 and ECOSUR project 41007 Ecología y Taxonomía del Zooplancton Marino. We acknowledge the logistic support of the Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak (PNAX), especially to its director Maricarmen García. This investigation counts with the permissions of scientific collection of the Mexican government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Mérida, Km 6 Antigua Carretera a Progreso, Apdo. Postal 73, Cordemex, 97310, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico

    L. Vásquez-Yeomans, M. E. Vega-Cendejas & J. L. Montero

  2. El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Ave. Centenario Km 5.5, Apdo. Postal 424, C.P.77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico

    L. Vásquez-Yeomans & E. Sosa-Cordero

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  1. L. Vásquez-Yeomans
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  2. M. E. Vega-Cendejas
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  3. J. L. Montero
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  4. E. Sosa-Cordero
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Correspondence to L. Vásquez-Yeomans.

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Vásquez-Yeomans, L., Vega-Cendejas, M.E., Montero, J.L. et al. High species richness of early stages of fish in a locality of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System: a small-scale survey using different sampling gears. Biodivers Conserv 20, 2379–2392 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-011-9990-6

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