Larval fish community structure in a seamount of the Gulf of California

Abstract

Larval fish community structure in El Bajo Espíritu Santo seamount from the southern part of the Gulf of California was studied. Fish larvae were identified and grouped in 48 families, 84 genera and 76 species. Their biological richness constitutes about 30% of the actual Gulf of California fishes. Numerically dominant taxa were represented by individuals whose adults belong to the mesopelagic, reef and coastal pelagic habitat (Vinciguerria lucetia, Mugil cephalus, Harengula thrissina, Benthosema panamense, Scomber japonicus, Mulloidichthys dentatus, Hyporamphus rosae, Abudefduf troschelii, Eucinostomus argenteus, Triphoturus mexicanus and Gobiidae). Large pelagic species from oceanic origin were also found in the samples, although they were scarce (Tetrapturus audax, Coryphaena hippurus). A high diversity (H) was found between late spring and autumn (2.0-2.8), it was determined in coincidence with an increment and maximum values of sea surface temperature (21-30 °C). Larval fish community structure was related with reproductive periods and mesoscale events of the ocean dynamics.