Fishes Biodiversity in La Siguanea inlet, Cuba.
La Siguanea inlet, one of the two inlets present in the Gulf of Batabanó, contains essential habitats such as seagrass beds and mangroves. However, it has been poorly studied and currently there is little information about the biological diversity in the area. The aim of this study was to make the first check list of fishes on this region of the Cuban archipelago. We used complementary methodologies such as multiple seine nets, gill net, drum lines, visual census and underwater video census. The inventory recorded 122 species of fishes distributed in 53 families. The best represented families were Haemulidae, Lutjanidae, Scaridae, Carangidae, Monacanthidae and Gerreidae. This finding coincided partially with similar studies done in other Cuban shelf areas, although the order of these may vary. During the surveys a high proportion of juvenile fishes was found, which suggests a possible nursery site that could be playing an important role in fish stocks in the area. This result contributes to raise the knowledge about marine biodiversity in Cuba and also for the Caribbean, providing a baseline of fish for the area. In this work we found a high diversity of fishes in La Siguanea inlet, as well as a high proportion of juveniles. Future studies that explore the composition and structure of fish stocks in the area are required; as well as studies on the possible connectivity between this area and the reefs in Punta Francés. Allowing a better understanding of ecological processes in the area, and in turn a better use and management of these natural resources.
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Journal Contribution biblioteca |
| Language: | Spanish / Castilian |
| Published: |
2017
|
| Subjects: | Diversidad, Peces, Inventario, Diversity, Fishes, Inventory, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/12439 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | La Siguanea inlet, one of the two inlets present in the Gulf of Batabanó,
contains essential habitats such as seagrass beds and mangroves.
However, it has been poorly studied and currently there is little information
about the biological diversity in the area. The aim of this study
was to make the first check list of fishes on this region of the Cuban
archipelago. We used complementary methodologies such as multiple
seine nets, gill net, drum lines, visual census and underwater video
census. The inventory recorded 122 species of fishes distributed in 53
families. The best represented families were Haemulidae, Lutjanidae,
Scaridae, Carangidae, Monacanthidae and Gerreidae. This finding
coincided partially with similar studies done in other Cuban shelf
areas, although the order of these may vary. During the surveys a
high proportion of juvenile fishes was found, which suggests a possible
nursery site that could be playing an important role in fish stocks in
the area. This result contributes to raise the knowledge about marine
biodiversity in Cuba and also for the Caribbean, providing a baseline
of fish for the area. In this work we found a high diversity of fishes in
La Siguanea inlet, as well as a high proportion of juveniles. Future
studies that explore the composition and structure of fish stocks in
the area are required; as well as studies on the possible connectivity
between this area and the reefs in Punta Francés. Allowing a better
understanding of ecological processes in the area, and in turn a better
use and management of these natural resources. |
|---|