First survey of Interstitial molluscs from Cayo Nuevo, Campeche Bank, Gulf of Mexico.

Six sediment samples weighing between 224-735 g were collected in June of 2016 from Cayo Nuevo reef, located at the Campeche Bank, southern Gulf of Mexico. Samples were collected by SCUBA diving, from were two stations at depths of 7.6 and 18.2 m. Sediment was sieved and molluscs (adults and micromolluscs ≤ 10 mm) were sorted, examined, and identified to the lowest taxonomic level. A total of 1,347 specimens was found, of which 224 shells were dead and 1,123 were alive. Thirty-four families, 53 genera, and 67 species were identified. The most abundant families were Chamidae and Arcidae for the Bivalvia class, and Caecidae and Tornidae for the Gastropoda class. The vertical range of Bentharca sp. was extended.

A dataset on the species composition of amphipods (Crustacea) in a Mexican marine national park: Alacranes Reef, Yucatan.

BACKGROUND: Alacranes Reef was declared as a National Marine Park in 1994. Since then, many efforts have been made to inventory its biodiversity. However, groups such as amphipods have been underestimated or not considered when benthic invertebrates were inventoried. Here we present a dataset that contributes to the knowledge of benthic amphipods (Crustacea, Peracarida) from the inner lagoon habitats from the Alacranes Reef National Park, the largest coral reef ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico. The dataset contains information on records collected from 2009 to 2011. Data are available through Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). NEW INFORMATION: A total of 110 amphipod species distributed in 93 nominal species and 17 generic species, belonging to 71 genera, 33 families and three suborders are presented here. This information represents the first online dataset of amphipods from the Alacranes Reef National Park. The biological material is currently deposited in the crustacean collection from the regional unit of the National Autonomous University of Mexico located at Sisal, Yucatan, Mexico (UAS-Sisal). The biological material includes 588 data records with a total abundance of 6,551 organisms. The species inventory represents, until now, the richest fauna of benthic amphipods registered from any discrete coral reef ecosystem in Mexico.

Chitons (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) from Alacranes Reef, Yucatan, Mexico.

This study represents the first comprehensive chiton study from Alacranes Reef, the largest reef system in the Gulf of Mexico. Nine chiton species were found in seven localities within the area, in the intertidal and subtidal to 12 m depth. SEM examination of C. janeirensis, A. hemphilli, T. schrammi and C. floridanus, showed variations in the sculpture and radular teeth morphology when compared to specimens of the same species from Florida Keys, Bahamas and Puerto Rico. The distribution ranges of T. schrammi, L. liozonis and S. floridana are extended into the south-western area of the Gulf of Mexico. Altogether, combining previous literature and the present survey, reports eleven chiton species which have now been recorded within the Alacranes reef area.

Checklist of fishes from madagascar reef, campeche bank, méxico.

This study presents the first list of fish species from Madagascar Reef, Campeche Bank, Gulf of México. Field surveys and literature review identified 54 species belonging to 8 orders, 30 families and 43 genera, comprising both conspicuous and cryptic fishes. Species richness was lower at this reef site compared to reefs in the Mexican Caribbean, Veracruz or Tuxpan, but was similar to other reefs in the same region. Species composition was a mixture of species present in all the reef systems of the Mexican Atlantic. Hypoplectrusecosur was recorded here for the first time in the Gulf of Mexico, Mycteropercamicrolepis, Equetuslanceolatus and Chaetodipterusfaber were new records for the reefs of the Campeche Bank, Elacatinusxanthiprora was recorded for the second time in Mexico and expanded its known distribution westwards from Alacranes Reef and Sanopusreticulatus, endemic of the Yucatan state, was recorded here for the first time on a reef.

Efecto de factores ambientales y la asignación del esfuerzo pesquero sobre las capturas de la raya Aetobatus narinari (Rajiformes: Myliobatidae) en el sur del Golfo de México / Effect of environmental factors and fishing effort allocation on catch of the Spotted Eagle Ray Aetobatus narinari (Rajiformes: Myliobatidae) in Southern Gulf of Mexico

Aetobatus narinari represents a fisheries target in Southern Gulf of Mexico, and it is currently considered a Near Threatened species by the IUCN red list. The information available of this batoid fish includes some biological and fishery aspects; nevertheless, little is known about the factors influencing on fishing operations and catches. In order to evaluate the effect of environmental factors and the fishing effort allocation by vessels on the target fishery of A. narinari in this area, a daily basis sampling was carried out on four small-scale vessels, from January to July 2009 (the entire fishing season), in two fishing localities (Campeche and Seybaplaya). A total of 896 rays were recorded from 280 fishing trips. A General Linear Model was used to predict the factors effect on the probability that fishing operations occurred, and on the probability for captures of at least one or three or five rays per vessel-trip. The probability that fishing operations occurred off Campeche was predicted by the lunar cycle, with the highest probability in the new moon period (66%) and a probability smaller than 35% for the other periods. The probability that fishing operations occurred off Seybaplaya was predicted by wind velocity, with higher probabilities at low wind velocity than at high wind velocity, and a 50% probability of fishing operations at 12-15km/h. Catch rates off Seybaplaya were predicted by the vessel´s factor (the effect of fishing effort allocation), the North wind season and sea surface temperature. The probability for captures of at least one and three rays per vessel-trip was predicted by the vessel´s factor and the North wind season. One vessel had higher catch probability (83% for at least one ray and 43% for at least three rays) than the others (69 and 70% for at least one ray and 26% for at least three rays), and during the North wind season the catch probability was higher (96% for at least one ray and 72% for at least three rays) than out of that season (68% for at least one ray and 21% for at least three rays). The probability for capture at least five rays per vessel-trip was predicted by the sea surface temperature and the North wind season. At 23°C the catch probability was of 49% and the probability gradually diminished to 4% at 28°C, and during the North wind season the catch probability was higher (40%) than out of that season (7%). This study shows that some environmental factors and fishermen perceptions and experience (fishing effort allocation) influence on the catch rate of A. narinari, and that these factors must be considered in future studies on elasmobranch fisheries, mainly when comparisons between catch rates among seasons or regions are analyzed.

Aunque existen estudios sobre las pesquerías de batoideos en aguas Mexicanas, falta información sobre la influencia de factores sobre las operaciones pesqueras y las tasas de captura. Para evaluar el efecto de algunos factores en la pesquería dirigida sobre la raya pinta Aetobatus narinari en el Sur del Golfo de México, se realizaron registros diarios de las operaciones pesqueras de cuatro embarcaciones menores en dos localidades (Campeche y Seybaplaya), de enero a julio 2009 (temporada de pesca completa). Fueron registradas 896 rayas en 280 viajes de pesca. Se utilizó el Modelo General Lineal para evaluar la influencia de los factores en las operaciones de pesca y las tasas de captura. La operación pesquera fue predicha por el ciclo lunar (frente a Campeche) y la velocidad del viento (frente a Seybaplaya). Las tasas de captura frente a Seybaplaya fueron predichas por el factor embarcación, la temporada de frentes fríos y la temperatura superficial del mar. Este estudio demuestra que tanto los factores ambientales como las diferencias en la asignación del esfuerzo pesquero entre embarcaciones, influyen en las tasas de captura, por lo que deben ser considerados en estudios futuros que comparen tasas de captura entre estaciones del año y regiones.