Juvenile fish associated Thalassia testudinum in Yalahau lagoon, Quintana Roo

Abstract

The juvenile ichthyofauna associated with Thalassia testudinum meadows in Yalahau lagoon, was analized during an annual cycle (from June 2001 to May 2002), for such effect, night hauls with a Renfro net were made. A total of 7,273 fishes were collected; their average size was 4.5 cm, that grouped in 92 species, belonging to 39 families. Lagodon rhomboides, Lucania parva, Floridychthys polyommus, Gobiosoma robustum y Orthopristis chrysoptera were the most abundant species. They constitute 77.4 % of the total fauna, whereas the Sciaenidae family was the most diverse. Lagodon rhomboides and Lucania parva were the dominant species. Taking into account the origin of adult, the juvenile fauna was integrated by 95.6% of marine species. Spatial and temporal variation of species abundance was in relation to their tolerance to hidrologic environment, Thalassia testudinum characteristics and trophic behavior. The higher richness and diversity were registred in the lagoon external zone, due to interchange between marine and coastal fauna. Finally, the juvenile ichthyofauna associated with Thalassia testudinum, was similar to another ones in other coastal systems from the region.