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¹ Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas

Bahía de La Paz, characterized by high biological diversity, presents an intense interchange with the Gulf of California, where Alfonso Basin is located. Horizontal and vertical distribution of fish larvae in the Alfonso Basin was analyzed in relationship with the water column structure during October 2022. Two water masses were registered, the Gulf of California Water mass, from 140 m depth to surface, and Subtropical Subsurface Water mass, below the first water mass. Fish larvae were collected from three depth layers: the surface mixed layer, the oxycline and the hypoxic layer, which is characterized by low dissolved oxygen concentration (<44 µmol kg-1). The highest average density of fish larvae (27.9 larvae per 100 m3) was in the surface mixed layer. Sixty-four taxa were recorded in this layer with Benthosema panamense, Selar crumenophthalmus and Syacium ovale as the dominant species. In the oxycline a mean density of 7.4 larvae per 100 m3 was recorded with 40 taxa. Triphoturus mexicanus, B. panamense and Vinciguerria lucetia were the dominant species. The lowest mean larval density was (1 larvae per 100 m3) in the hypoxic layer, where only 4 taxa were recorded. Results showed that the highest density and richness of larvae were found in the mixed and oxycline layer, where the Gulf of California Water was observed, contrasting with the low presence of larvae in the Subtropical Subsurface Water domain, water mass characterized by low dissolved oxygen concentration. Its vertical expansion in the main entrance of the Bahía de La Paz, might constrain the fish larvae distribution and survival.

Palabras clave: Fish larvae; vertical distribution; water masses; Alfonso Basin; Gulf of California

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