Estructura temporal y espacial de la comunidad de peces arrecifales de la Isla San José, Golfo de California, México / Seasonal and spatial structure of reef fish community in San Jose Island, Gulf of California, México

ABSTRACT

Seasonal and spatial structure of reef fish community in San Jose Island, Gulf of California, México. The Gulf of California is one of the most fish diverse areas of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean. In spite of its economic value, few works have considered fish community studies for optimum management. With the aim to determine the seasonal and spatial variation of fish communities in eight locations around the San Jose Island, some ecological research was conducted from March 2001 to February 2002. For this, visual censuses were used in 48 transects of 100x5m (500m²); specific analysis such as diversity values, the relative abundance and the biological value indexes were undertaken, and a principal component analysis applied. Our results clearly showed two climatic seasons of cold and warm waters. A total number of 26 608 organisms of 112 species and 76 genera of fishes were identified. We used the relative abundance index to determine the most important species, which were: Abudefduf troschelii, Thalassoma lucasanum, Stegastes rectifraenum, Mulloidichthys dentatus, Chromis atrilobata, Lutjanus argentiventris and Scarus ghobban. February was the month with the lowest diversity with a value of 3.12bits/ind. and October was the most diverse (4.13bits/ind.). According to the biological value index (BVI) and considering the climatic seasons, the fish species with the highest score during cold months were: A. troschelii, M. dentatus, S. ghobban, S. rectifraenum and T. lucasanum. Besides, for warmer months, the same fish species were observed but in different order and abundance: A. troschelii, S. ghobban, S. rectifraenum, T. lucasanum and M. dentatus. Using the biological value index, 13 species were those which had a higher overall score. The locations by the Eastern side of the island had a greater number of species and abundance of fish. The principal component analysis (PCA) applied using the seasonal data, species richness, diversity, equity, number of species and total abundance during the warmer months also a PCA within spatial data, showed that location in Punta Colorada had a high correlation with the number of species, diversity and total abundance. Rev. Biol. Trop. 60 (2): 649-667. Epub 2012 June 01.

RESUMEN

Para determinar la variación estacional y espacial de la comunidad de peces en ocho localidades alrededor de la Isla San José en el Golfo de California se realizo un estudio ecológico de marzo 2001 a febrero 2002. Además, se utilizaron censos visuales en 48 transectos de 100x5m (500m²). También, se detectaron dos temporadas climáticas: una fría y otra cálida, se observaron 26 608 organismos de 112 especies de 76 géneros de peces. Asimismo, se utilizo el índice de abundancia relativa para determinar las especies más importantes. Febrero fue el mes de menor diversidad y octubre el mayor. De acuerdo con el índice de valor biológico, 13 especies fueron las que obtuvieron un mayor puntaje. En los meses cálidos se presentaron las mismas especies pero en diferente orden y abundancia. Las localidades de la zona oriental de la isla, presentaron un mayor número de especies y abundancia de peces. En el análisis de componentes principales (ACP) la riqueza específica, diversidad, equidad, número de especies y abundancia total se relacionaron con los meses cálidos. Al utilizar el ACP en su forma espacial registro que la localidad Punta Colorada obtuvo una mayor correlación con el número de especies, diversidad y abundancia total.