[The fish community in the Términos lagoon: compared current structure].

Area of Science:

• Ichthyology
• Marine Ecology
• Fisheries Science

Background:

• Terminos Lagoon is a vital nursery and feeding ground for numerous fish species.
• Understanding fish community structure is crucial for effective fisheries management and conservation.
• Previous studies in the region provide a baseline for assessing changes in fish populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the fish community structure in Terminos Lagoon, Mexico.
• To describe species abundance, distribution, and length composition.
• To identify dominant fish species and assess their ecological and economic importance.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 437 trawl tows across 23 sites over 19 months (September 1997 - March 1999).
• Collected and analyzed data on fish abundance, biomass, length composition, and species identification.
• Calculated diversity indices (Shannon index) and identified dominant species based on numerical abundance and frequency.

Main Results:

• A total of 25,588 individuals from 107 species, 76 genera, and 37 families were recorded.
• Fish abundance ranged from 0.395 to 0.895 ind/m², biomass from 8.637 to 18.316 g/m², and average weight per individual from 18.358 to 34.837 g/ind.
• Arius melanopus (26.5%) and Diapterus rhombeus (18.9%) were the most numerically abundant species. Eighteen dominant species were identified, including commercially important ones.

Conclusions:

• The fish community in Terminos Lagoon is diverse, with distinct dominant species.
• Arius melanopus and Diapterus rhombeus play significant roles in the lagoon's ecosystem.
• Several identified dominant species represent valuable local and regional fishery resources, underscoring the need for sustainable management.