Resumen del producto

The Gulf of Mexico's oceanographic characteristics are heavily influenced by mesoscale structures that influence larval fish abundance, dispersion and assemblage structure. This study evaluated the relationship between specific mesoscale structures and larval fish assemblages in the deepwater region (>1000m) of Mexico's Exclusive Economic Zone. Ichthyoplankton was sorted out from zooplankton samples collected during November 2010 and July 2011. Oceanographic data obtained in? situ and through remote sensing were used to identify four mesoscale structures with contrasting hydrographic characteristics: the region of influence of the Loop Current (LC); their anticyclonic gyres (ACG); the semi?permanent cyclonic gyre of the western Bay of Campeche (BC) and the eastern region of this bay, that is known to be strongly influenced by regional river inputs and local offshore transport. Cluster analysis indicated a high similarity in the assemblage structure between many of the st ations within LC and ACG (north?central gulf) as well within BC (southern gulf), indicating the presence of two regional assemblages driven by large?scale reproductive and circulation patterns. Nevertheless, some stations had a very low level of similarity. Results suggest that biological processes and physical processes operating at various spatial scales likely play a role in the structuring of ichthyoplankton assemblages in this region.

Palabras clave: Fish larvae; mesoscale structures; Gulf of Mexico

Para obtener una copia del documento contacta la personal de la biblioteca a través del correo bibliocicimar{a}ipn.mx