Fish larvae from the north littoral reef of Quintana Roo, Mexican Caribbean Sea

Abstract

Neuston samples (144) collected monthly from January to December 2004 from the north of the Mexican Caribbean Sea were analyzed. Trawlings were made at twelve sites along the coast, from Puerto Morelos to Cancun with a neuston net (0.60X 0.80 m; mesh 330µ) for 10 min., near surface. Salinity (spu), temperature (°C), and Oxygen (mg/l), were measured in situ, allowing the characterization of two climatic regimes: dry and wet season, and three environments: coastal (with oceanic characteristics), lagoon, and reef areas. A total of 5,577 fish larvae were captured (4,398.5 larvae/100 m3 ) corresponding to 55 families and 115 taxa. Gobies were the most conspicuous taxa, they were found in all three environments and ratify previous reports by other workers. Ctenogobius sp. (26.6%), Gobionellus sp.1 (17.9%), and Harengula jaguana (6.7%), made up more than 51%. Seasonally, highest average abundance was recorded in the dry season (56.9%) peaking in March (9.1±4.5 larvae/100 m3 ). The lagoon environment contained the lowest species richness (44) than the coastal (78) or reef (82) areas, but more larvae were caught (2,865.6 larvas/100 m3 ), a number higher than those collected at the other two environments put together.