Evaluating the influence of noise emitted by environmental enrichment equipment in routine farrowing management practices / Avaliação da influência do ruído ambiental emitido por enriquecimento físico e suínos em práticas de rotina exercidas na fase de maternidade

The installation of fans and rooftop sprinklers in swine housing and management facilities can increase noise intensity and may impair workers' hearing health over longs periods of time; therefore, an assessment of the piglets stress during invasive practices was made. This study set out to evaluate the noise intensity emitted by environmental enrichment devices (fans and rooftop sprinklers) and by piglets restrained for body temperature assessments and its effect on animal welfare and on the hearing health of workers exposed to it for long periods. Twenty piglets ranging in age from five to twenty days were observed. The sow gestation area was divided into a cooled (fans and rooftop sprinklers) and uncooled area. Two decibel meters were used to measure noise intensity, one for the general noise in the facilities and the other for the piglets, with five-minute intervals between assessments. Digital thermometers were used to take the rectal temperature, and infrared thermometers were used to take the body surface temperature. Fixed-effects ANOVA for the housing environment and periods and multiple comparisons at a significance level of 5% were applied. The average dorsal temperature of the piglets was 36 °C ± 1.2 in the cooled area and 38.4 °C ± 0.5 in the uncooled area. In both periods, the average maximum noise intensity was over 100 decibels. In the afternoon, the maximum in(AU)

A inserção de ventiladores e aspersores de água no telhado assim como o manejo de contenção de suínos podem aumentar a intensidade de ruídos dentro das instalações podendo, em longos exposições, prejudicar a saúde auditiva dos funcionários, permitindo a avaliação do estresse de leitões após práticas invasivas. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a intensidade do ruído emitido por enriquecimentos ambientais físicos (ventiladores e aspersores de água no telhado) e de leitões contidos para colheita da temperatura corporal e a influência dos ruídos emitidos na saúde auditiva de funcionários expostos por longos períodos e no bem-estar animal.  Vinte leitões machos e fêmeas foram utilizados, com idades entre cinco e 20 dias. A área de maternidade foi dividida em resfriada (ventiladores e aspersores de água no telhado) e área não resfriada. Para a análise da intensidade do ruído foram utilizados dois decibelímetros, sendo um para o ruído geral das instalações e um para os leitões, com cinco minutos de intervalo entre as análises. Para mensurar a temperatura retal foram utilizados termômetros digitais e para as temperaturas superficiais corporais termômetros infravermelhos. Utilizou-se ANOVA com efeito fixo de ambiente e período e comparação múltipla em 5%. A temperatura média do dorso dos leitões foi de 36 °C ± 1,2 na instalação refrigerada e 38,4 °C ± 0,5 no ambiente não refrigerado.(AU)

Evaluating the influence of noise emitted by environmental enrichment equipment in routine farrowing management practices / Avaliação da influência do ruído ambiental emitido por enriquecimento físico e suínos em práticas de rotina exercidas na fase de maternidade

The installation of fans and rooftop sprinklers in swine housing and management facilities can increase noise intensity and may impair workers' hearing health over longs periods of time; therefore, an assessment of the piglets stress during invasive practices was made. This study set out to evaluate the noise intensity emitted by environmental enrichment devices (fans and rooftop sprinklers) and by piglets restrained for body temperature assessments and its effect on animal welfare and on the hearing health of workers exposed to it for long periods. Twenty piglets ranging in age from five to twenty days were observed. The sow gestation area was divided into a cooled (fans and rooftop sprinklers) and uncooled area. Two decibel meters were used to measure noise intensity, one for the general noise in the facilities and the other for the piglets, with five-minute intervals between assessments. Digital thermometers were used to take the rectal temperature, and infrared thermometers were used to take the body surface temperature. Fixed-effects ANOVA for the housing environment and periods and multiple comparisons at a significance level of 5% were applied. The average dorsal temperature of the piglets was 36 °C ± 1.2 in the cooled area and 38.4 °C ± 0.5 in the uncooled area. In both periods, the average maximum noise intensity was over 100 decibels. In the afternoon, the maximum in

A inserção de ventiladores e aspersores de água no telhado assim como o manejo de contenção de suínos podem aumentar a intensidade de ruídos dentro das instalações podendo, em longos exposições, prejudicar a saúde auditiva dos funcionários, permitindo a avaliação do estresse de leitões após práticas invasivas. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a intensidade do ruído emitido por enriquecimentos ambientais físicos (ventiladores e aspersores de água no telhado) e de leitões contidos para colheita da temperatura corporal e a influência dos ruídos emitidos na saúde auditiva de funcionários expostos por longos períodos e no bem-estar animal.  Vinte leitões machos e fêmeas foram utilizados, com idades entre cinco e 20 dias. A área de maternidade foi dividida em resfriada (ventiladores e aspersores de água no telhado) e área não resfriada. Para a análise da intensidade do ruído foram utilizados dois decibelímetros, sendo um para o ruído geral das instalações e um para os leitões, com cinco minutos de intervalo entre as análises. Para mensurar a temperatura retal foram utilizados termômetros digitais e para as temperaturas superficiais corporais termômetros infravermelhos. Utilizou-se ANOVA com efeito fixo de ambiente e período e comparação múltipla em 5%. A temperatura média do dorso dos leitões foi de 36 °C ± 1,2 na instalação refrigerada e 38,4 °C ± 0,5 no ambiente não refrigerado.

Índices de estresse térmico para touros jovens Nelore criados em ambiente tropical / Thermal stress indices in young Nellore bulls raised in tropical environments

Background: Thermal stress indices are important in predicting and choosing means for mitigating heat stress and defining critical environmental conditions for animal welfare and performance. The aim of this study was to determine theassociation between 16 thermal stress indices and thermophysiological variables in young Nellore bulls raised in a tropicalpasture to determine the most effective parameter of heat stress to assist in the management of the thermal environmentand animal welfare.Materials, Methods & Results: Seventy-eight young Nellore bulls (Bos taurus indicus), with a mean age of 10.5 monthsand mean body weight of 242.09 ± 32.17 kg at first collection, and 17.92 months and body weight 335.80 ± 39.02 kg atlast collection, were used. During the experimental period, rectal temperature (RT) and surface temperature at the forehead,scapula, and groin, from which the average surface temperature (AST) was calculated, were measured. The differencebetween the AST and air temperature (i.e., AST - AT) and between the RT and AST (i.e., RT - AST) defined the thermalgradient. For the evaluation of thermal environment, the dry bulb, wet bulb, and globe temperatures, and wind speed weremeasured. Relative humidity, mean radiant temperature, solar radiation, temperature humidity index (THI), black globaltemperature humidity index (BGHI), equivalent temperature index (ETI), environmental stress index (ESI), respiratory ratepredictor (PRR), heat load index (HLI), comprehensive climate index (CCI), and index of thermal stress for cows (ITSC)were calculated. The average and maximum air temperatures were above thermal comfort levels, while the average relativehumidity was within the ideal limit for cattle. The average globe temperature was higher than the air temperature. Solarradiation presented very high values and wind speeds were very low. RT indicated normothermia in the cattle, and ASTand thermal gradient (i.e., AST - AT) indicated thermal comfort...(AU)

Índices de estresse térmico para touros jovens Nelore criados em ambiente tropical / Thermal stress indices in young Nellore bulls raised in tropical environments

Background: Thermal stress indices are important in predicting and choosing means for mitigating heat stress and defining critical environmental conditions for animal welfare and performance. The aim of this study was to determine theassociation between 16 thermal stress indices and thermophysiological variables in young Nellore bulls raised in a tropicalpasture to determine the most effective parameter of heat stress to assist in the management of the thermal environmentand animal welfare.Materials, Methods & Results: Seventy-eight young Nellore bulls (Bos taurus indicus), with a mean age of 10.5 monthsand mean body weight of 242.09 ± 32.17 kg at first collection, and 17.92 months and body weight 335.80 ± 39.02 kg atlast collection, were used. During the experimental period, rectal temperature (RT) and surface temperature at the forehead,scapula, and groin, from which the average surface temperature (AST) was calculated, were measured. The differencebetween the AST and air temperature (i.e., AST - AT) and between the RT and AST (i.e., RT - AST) defined the thermalgradient. For the evaluation of thermal environment, the dry bulb, wet bulb, and globe temperatures, and wind speed weremeasured. Relative humidity, mean radiant temperature, solar radiation, temperature humidity index (THI), black globaltemperature humidity index (BGHI), equivalent temperature index (ETI), environmental stress index (ESI), respiratory ratepredictor (PRR), heat load index (HLI), comprehensive climate index (CCI), and index of thermal stress for cows (ITSC)were calculated. The average and maximum air temperatures were above thermal comfort levels, while the average relativehumidity was within the ideal limit for cattle. The average globe temperature was higher than the air temperature. Solarradiation presented very high values and wind speeds were very low. RT indicated normothermia in the cattle, and ASTand thermal gradient (i.e., AST - AT) indicated thermal comfort...

Infrared thermal image for assessing animal health and welfare / Imagem termográfica infravermelha na avaliação do bem-estar animal

Infrared thermal imaging is a non-destructive testing technology that can be used to determine the superficial temperature of objects. This technology has an increasing use in detecting diseases and distress in animal husbandry within the poultry, pig and dairy production. The process can identify changes in peripheral blood flow from the resulting changes in heat loss and; therefore, have been a useful tool for evaluating the presence of disease, edema, and stress in animals. This paper reviews the current literature related to the use of infrared technology and discusses their results and implications in animal welfare issues, poultry, pig and bovine industry.(AU)

Imagem térmica infravermelha é uma tecnologia experimental não destrutiva, que pode ser utilizado para determinar a temperatura superficial dos objetos. Esta tecnologia tem uma crescente aplicação na detecção de doenças e estresse em criação de animais: aves, suínos e produção de leite. Este processo pode detectar mudanças no fluxo de sangue periférico das alterações resultantes na perda de calor e, portanto, têm sido ferramenta útil para avaliar a presença de doença, edema e estresse nos animais. Este trabalho revisa a literatura atual em relação ao uso da tecnologia de infravermelho e discute seus resultados e implicações em questões de bem-estar animal, e na indústria de produção de aves, suínos e bovinos.(AU)

Infrared thermal image for assessing animal health and welfare / Imagem termográfica infravermelha na avaliação do bem-estar animal

Infrared thermal imaging is a non-destructive testing technology that can be used to determine the superficial temperature of objects. This technology has an increasing use in detecting diseases and distress in animal husbandry within the poultry, pig and dairy production. The process can identify changes in peripheral blood flow from the resulting changes in heat loss and; therefore, have been a useful tool for evaluating the presence of disease, edema, and stress in animals. This paper reviews the current literature related to the use of infrared technology and discusses their results and implications in animal welfare issues, poultry, pig and bovine industry.

Imagem térmica infravermelha é uma tecnologia experimental não destrutiva, que pode ser utilizado para determinar a temperatura superficial dos objetos. Esta tecnologia tem uma crescente aplicação na detecção de doenças e estresse em criação de animais: aves, suínos e produção de leite. Este processo pode detectar mudanças no fluxo de sangue periférico das alterações resultantes na perda de calor e, portanto, têm sido ferramenta útil para avaliar a presença de doença, edema e estresse nos animais. Este trabalho revisa a literatura atual em relação ao uso da tecnologia de infravermelho e discute seus resultados e implicações em questões de bem-estar animal, e na indústria de produção de aves, suínos e bovinos.

Global Model selection for evaluation of Climate Change projections in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape / Selección del Modelo Global para la evaluación de las proyecciones de Cambio Climático en el Paisaje Marino del Pacífico Tropical Oriental

Two methods for selecting a subset of simulations and/or general circulation models (GCMs) from a set of 30 available simulations are compared: 1) Selecting the models based on their performance on reproducing 20th century climate, and 2) random sampling. In the first case, it was found that the performance methodology is very sensitive to the type and number of metrics used to rank the models and therefore the results are not robust to these conditions. In general, including more models in a multi-model ensemble according to their rank (of skill in reproducing 20th century climate) results in an increase in the multi-model skill up to a certain point and then the inclusion of more models degrades the skill of the multi-model ensemble. In a similar fashion when the models are introduced in the ensemble at random, there is a point where the inclusion of more models does not change significantly the skill of the multi-model ensemble. For precipitation the subset of models that produces the maximum skill in reproducing 20th century climate also showed some skill in reproducing the climate change projections of the multi-model ensemble of all simulations. For temperature, more models/simulations are needed to be included in the ensemble (at the expense of a decrease in the skill of reproducing the climate of the 20th century for the selection based on their ranks). For precipitation and temperature the use of 7 simulations out of 30 resulted in the maximum skill for both approaches to introduce the models.

Se emplearon dos métodos para escoger un subconjunto a partir de treinta simulaciones de Modelos de Circulación General. El primer método se basó en la habilidad de cada uno de los modelos en reproducir el clima del siglo XX y el segundo en un muestreo aleatorio. Se encontró que el primero de ellos es muy sensible al tipo y métrica usada para categorizar los modelos, lo que no arrojó resultados robustos bajo estas condiciones. En general, la inclusión de más modelos en el agrupamiento de multi-modelos ordenados de acuerdo a su destreza en reproducir el clima del siglo XX, resultó en un aumento en la destreza del agrupamiento de multi-modelos hasta cierto punto, y luego la inclusión de más modelos/simulaciones degrada la destreza del agrupamiento de multi-modelos. De manera similar, en la inclusión de modelos de forma aleatoria, existe un punto en que agregar más modelos no cambia significativamente la destreza del agrupamiento de muti-modelos. Para el caso de la precipitación, el subconjunto de modelos que produce la máxima destreza en reproducir el clima del siglo XX también mostró alguna destreza en reproducir las proyecciones de cambio climático del agrupamiento de multi-modelos para todas las simulaciones. Para temperatura, más modelos/simulaciones son necesarios para ser incluidos en el agrupamiento (con la consecuente disminución en la destreza para reproducir el clima del siglo XX). Para precipitación y temperatura, el uso de 7 simulaciones de 30 posibles resultó en el punto de máxima destreza para ambos métodos de inclusión de modelos.

Clima y temperatura sub-superficial del mar en Bahía Culebra, Golfo de Papagayo, Costa Rica / Climate and subsurface sea temperature in Bahía Culebra, Costa Rica

Climate and subsurface sea temperature in Bahía Culebra, Costa Rica. Bahía Culebra, Golfo de Papagayo, Costa Rica is a seasonal upwelling area. To determine the relationship of climate and the subsurface temperature variability at Bahía Culebra, we analyzed nine records of sea subsurface temperature from the Bay, continuously recorded from 1998 to 2010. The analysis characterized the annual cycle and explored the influence of different climate variability sources on the subsurface sea temperature and air temperature recorded in Bahía Culebra. Data from an automatic meteorological station in the bay were studied, obtaining the annual and daily cycle for air surface temperature and wind speed. Sea surface temperature (SST) trend from 1854 to 2011 was calculated from reanalysis for the region that coverts 9-11°N, 85-87°W. Because of the positive SST trend identified in this region, results showed that annual and daily cycles in Bahía Culebra should be studied under a warming scenario since 1854, that is coherent with the global warming results and its climate variability is influenced by El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the Equatorial Pacific and by atmospheric forcing triggered by climate variability with Atlantic Ocean origin, because warm (cold) events in Bahía Culebra tend to occur in concordance with positive & negative (negative & positive) anomalies in Niño 3.4 (NAO) index.

Bahía Culebra, Golfo de Papagayo, Costa Rica es una región de afloramiento estacional. Para determinar la relación entre el clima y la variabilidad de la temperatura sub-superficial, se analizaron los registros de la temperatura sub-superficial del mar de nueve estaciones localizadas en la Bahía. El análisis permitió caracterizar su ciclo anual y explorar su relación con fuentes de variabilidad climática que influencian el clima regional para el periodo 1998-2010. Los resultados se contextualizaron usando además los datos de una estación meteorológica automática que funcionó en la bahía junto con el registro de la temperatura superficial del mar para una rejilla que cubre la región de 9-11°N, 85-87°W, para el periodo 1854-2011. Debido a la tendencia positiva encontrada en la región para la temperatura superficial del mar, se concluye que los resultados mostrados asociados a los ciclos anuales y diarios en Bahía Culebra deben ser interpretados bajo un escenario de cambio climático, asociado a un calentamiento ocurrido desde 1854, además coherente con lo observado globalmente, y que su variabilidad climática está influenciada no sólo por aquella ligada a la de El Niño-Oscilación del Sur, en el Pacífico Ecuatorial, sino también por influencias de tipo atmosférico relacionadas con la variabilidad en el Océano Atlántico, debido a que los eventos cálidos (fríos) en Bahía Culebra tienden a ocurrir en concordancia con anomalías positivas y negativas (negativas y positivas) de los índices Niño 3.4 y OAN, respectivamente.

Avaliação comportamental e fisiológica de suínos em baias individuais e gaiolas metabólicas / Behavioral and physiological evaluation of swine in individual stalls and metabolic cages

Foram feitos dois artigos que avaliaram o comportamento e os parâmetros fisiológicos de suínos alojados em baias individuais e gaiolas metabólicas. O primeiro artigo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do período (antes e durante), tipo de alojamento (baia individual e gaiola metabólica) e tratamento alimentar (T1, T2, T3 e T4) nas concentrações de cortisol salivar. Foi feita a coleta do fluido oral de 16 suínos mestiços [Pietrain x (Large White x Duroc)], machos castrados, em fase inicial de crescimento, com idade média de 63 dias. No período antes, todos os animais foram alojados em baias individuais e no período durante, metade dos animais (n=8) permaneceu nas baias individuais e a outra metade (n=8) foi transferida para as gaiolas metabólicas. Nesse período os animais passaram a receber quatro tipos de ração com formulações diferentes (T1, T2, T3 e T4). De acordo com os dados, não houve diferença significativa (p>0,05) nos níveis de cortisol salivar entre o período antes e durante, em baias individuais. Os animais alojados em baias individuais, mesmo sendo alimentados com dietas diferentes (T2, T3 e T4) não apresentaram níveis de cortisol compatíveis com estresse. Os animais lojados em gaiolas metabólicas, quando alimentados com dietas diferentes (T2, T3 e T4) podem apresentar estresse, que pode ser evidenciado pelo achatamento do ritmo circadiano. No segundo artigo o objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos do período (antes e durante), tipo de alojamento (baia individual e gaiola metabólica) e tratamento alimentar (T1, T2, T3 e T4) no comportamento e nos parâmetros fisiológicos, tais como a frequência respiratória e temperatura corporal superficial de suínos em crescimento. Foram utilizados 25 suínos mestiços [Pietrain x (Large White x Duroc)], machos castrados, em fase inicial de crescimento, com idade média de 63 dias. De acordo com os resultados, o comportamento pode ser modificado de acordo com os horários de arraçoamento, tipo de alojamento, tipo de tratamento e temperatura ambiental; A frequência respiratória não é influenciada pelo período antes e durante, mas é influenciada pelo tipo de alojamento e tipo de tratamento e temperatura ambiental e; A temperatura superficial é influenciada pelo período, pelo tipo de alojamento e tipo de tratamento e temperatura ambiental

Two articles were made to assessed the behavioral and physiological parameters of pigs housed in individual stalls and metabolism cages. The first article was to evaluate the effects of period (before and during), type of housing (individual stall and metabolic cage) and feeding treatment (T1, T2, T3 and T4) in salivary cortisol concentrations. Was collected from the oral fluid of 16 crossbred pigs [Pietrain x (Large White x Duroc)] castrated males, in early growth stages, with initial average weight of 23.6 ± 6.5 kg and mean age of 63 days. In the period “before”, all animals were housed in individual cages and in the “during” period, half of the animals (n= 8) remained in individual pens and the other half (n= 8) were transferred to metabolic cages. During this period, the animals began to receive four types of diets with different formulations (T1, T2, T3 and T4). Thereafter, cortisol was measured and analyzed by immuno-assay (EIA). According to the data, the animals showed a circadian pattern with highest values by the morning. There was no significant difference (p >0,05) in salivary cortisol levels in “before” and “during” periods in individual stalls. The animals housed in individual pens, even being feeded with different diets (T2, T3 and T4) did not show cortisol levels consistent with stress. The animals housed in metabolic cages, when feeded with different diets (T2, T3 and T4) may have stress, which can be evidenced by the flattening of the circadian rhythm. In the second article the aim was to evaluate the effects of period (before and during), type of housing (individual stalls and metabolic cage) and feeding treatment (T1, T2, T3 and T4) in the behavior and physiological parameters such as frequency respiratory and surface body temperature for growing pigs. We used 25 crossbred pigs [Pietrain x (Large White x Duroc)], castrated in early growth stages, with a mean age of 63 days. According to the results, the behavior can be modified according to the feeding schedule, type of accommodation, type of treatment and ambient temperature; The respiratory rate is not influenced by the period “before” and “during”, but is influenced by the type of accommodation and type of treatment and ambient temperature and; The surface temperature is influenced by period, by type of accommodation and type of treatment and ambient temperature.

Relación entre las capturas de Megapitaria squalida (Bivalvia: Veneridae) y la temperatura superficial del mar en la Bahía de la Paz, Baja California Sur, México

Megapitaria squalida (Bivalvia: Veneridae) fishery landings and temperature relationship in Bahía de la Paz, México. The clam Megapitaria squalida is a fishing resource with increasing importance in Northwestern Mexico. Nevertheless, this fishery has shown important variations that could be related to environmental factors. To assess this, monthly landings of M. squalida were analyzed during 2002-2005 for Bahía de La Paz, B.C.S., and were related with monthly time series of sea surface temperature, derived from MODIS-Aqua Sensor. The results showed a positive and significant relationship between sea surface temperature and clam landings. The likely impact of anomalous conditions of sea temperature on this resource is discussed. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (1): 151-157. Epub 2011 March 01.

La almeja chocolate Megapitaria squalida es un recurso pesquero con creciente importancia en el noroeste de México al registrarse un incremento en los volúmenes de captura. Sin embargo, esta pesquería ha observado variaciones importantes en las capturas que podrían estar relacionadas con factores ambientales. Se obtuvieron datos mensuales de producción de M. squalida durante 2002- 2005 y se estimaron series de tiempo de temperatura superficial del mar en la Bahía de La Paz B.C.S. a partir de imágenes mensuales derivadas del sensor MODIS-Aqua. Los resultados indican una relación positiva significativa entre la temperatura superficial del mar y los volúmenes de captura, razón por la cual nuestro trabajo tiene como objetivo estudiar las relaciones entre capturas de Megapitaria squalida (Bivalvia: Veneridae) y la temperatura superficial del mar en La Bahía de la Paz, Baja California Sur, México.

Reproducción, dieta y pesquería del pulpo Octopus (Octopus) hubbsorum (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) en la costa de Oaxaca, México

Reproduction, diet and fishery of Octopus (Octopus) hubbsorum (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) in the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico. The octopus Octopus hubbsorum (Berry 1953) ranges widely and is important for the artisanal fishery in Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico. Samples were taken approximately at every two weeks from January 2002 to November 2003. All organisms were measured for dorsal mantle length (DLM) and total weight; sex and maturity gonadic stage were registered. For the stomach content analysis, frequency of occurrence and emptying indexes were used. The 352 organisms caught ranged from 4 to 18 cm in DLM; the sex ratio was different from 1 (X² = 24.2, p<0.05) throughout the year. The maximum values of the GSI appeared in May (4.1917 for females; 1.2675 in males). LDM for first sexual maturity (LDM50%) was 16 cm (females) and 14 cm (males). Octopus hubbsorum moves from deep waters to the coast, probably in search of better conditions, and lays masses of eggs on rocky substrata. They are fished from March to October, with higher intensity in April and May. Fishing effort was related to the oceanographic characteristics and the atmospheric conditions of the area. From April to September the CPUE monthly mean was 20-10 kg/divers/day. Using the CPUE and environmental condition relationship, the estimated adequate superficial temperature for fishing is 29.5 °C. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (1-2): 63-78. Epub 2009 June 30.

Se analizan algunos aspectos de la biología y pesquería de Octopus hubbsorum capturado por pesca artesanal en Puerto Ángel, Oaxaca, México. Las muestras se obtuvieron de enero 2002 a noviembre 2003 con una periodicidad quincenal. A cada uno de los organismos se les registró la longitud dorsal del manto (LDM), peso total, sexo y estado de madurez gonádica. Asímismo se obtuvo el Índice Gonadosomático (IGS). Para el análisis del contenido estomacal se utilizaron los índices de frecuencia de presencia y vaciado. Se analizaron 352 organismos, con un intervalo de tallas de 4 a 19 cm LDM; la proporción de sexos fue diferente de 1 (.2= 24.2, p<0.05) todo el año. Los valores máximos del IGS se presentaron en mayo (4.1917 hembras; 1.2675 machos). La LDM de primera madurez sexual para las hembras es de 16 cm (machos 14 cm). Octopus hubbsorum viaja a la costa con el fin de colocar las masas de huevos sobre sustratos rocosos y probablemente en busca de condiciones más adecuadas que a mayores profundidades. La pesca se realiza todo el año con un incremento en las capturas de marzo a octubre, con mayor intensidad en abril y mayo. El esfuerzo de pesca se encuentra relacionado con las características oceanográficas y las condiciones atmosféricas de la zona. De abril a septiembre la captura por unidad de esfuerzo (CPUE) promedio mensual varió entre 10 y 20 kg/buzo/día. A partir de la relación entre la CPUE y las variables ambientales, se estimó una temperatura superficial del mar (TSM) óptima, la cual es de 29.5 °C para la captura de esta especie.

Variabilidad estacional e interanual de la concentración de clorofila a y temperatura superficial del mar en la región occidental del Golfo de México: 1996-2007 / Seasonal and inter-annual variability in chlorophyll a and sea surface temperature in the western Gulf of Mexico: 1996-2007 / Variabilidade estacional e interanual da concentração de clorofila a e temperatura superficial do mar na região ocidental do Golfo do México: 1996-2007

Se presenta una descripción general del patrón estacional de la clorofila a (Chl-a) y temperatura superficial del mar (TSM) en la región occidental del Golfo de México (Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán y Quintana Roo), así como el análisis de la variabilidad interanual en los estados de Tabasco y Campeche como estudios de caso. Las series de tiempo se estimaron a partir de imágenes de satélite derivadas de los sensores OCTS-SeaWiFS (1996-2007) y AVHRR (1996-2006). Se identificaron dos periodos donde predominaron las condiciones cálidas (1997-1999) y frías (2000-2001), los cuales podrían relacionarse con cambios en la estructura del ecosistema de esta región.

A general description of the seasonal pattern of chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and sea surface temperature (SST) in the Western Gulf of Mexico (Taumalipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan and Quitana Roo) is presented, as well as an analysis of the inter-annual variability in the states of Tabasco and Campeche, as case studies. The time series were estimated from satellite images obtained with the OCTS-SeaWiFS (1996-2007) y AVHRR (1996-2006) sensors. Two periods when warm conditions (1997-1999) and cold conditions (2000-2001) predominated were identified, which could be related to changes in the regional ecosystem.

Apresenta-se uma descrição geral do padrão estacional da clorofila a (Chl-a) e temperatura superficial do mar (TSM) na região ocidental do Golfo do México (Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán e Quintana Roo), assim como a análise da variabilidade interanual nos estados de Tabasco e Campeche como estudos de caso. As séries de tempo se estimaram a partir de imagens de satélite derivadas dos sensores OCTS-SeaWiFS (1996-2007) e AVHRR (1996-2006). Identificaram-se dois períodos onde predominaram as condições cálidas (1997-1999) e frias (2000-2001), os quais poderiam relacionar-se com mudanças na estrutura do ecossistema desta região.