TY - JOUR
T1 - Seasonal changes in connectivity routes among larval fish assemblages in a semi-enclosed sea (Gulf of California)
AU - Peguero-Icaza, Martha
AU - Sánchez-Velasco, Laura
AU - Lavín, Miguel F.
AU - Marinone, S. Guido
AU - Beier, Emilio
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by SEP-CONACyT (Contracts 2008-105922 and 2008-103898), SIP-Instituto Politécnico Nacional ( project codes 20090578 and 20100670) and by CICESE regular budget. Participation of MFL and SGM is part of PANGAS project (http://pangas.arizona. edu/en/public), funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation (grant # 2008-32210).
PY - 2011/3
Y1 - 2011/3
N2 - Seasonal changes in connectivity routes among larval fish assemblages in the northern Gulf of California were studied with connectivity matrices from particle-tracking with a 3D baroclinic numerical model. Results show strong seasonality in connectivity routes among assemblages according to the seasonal circulation phases. In summer (cyclonic phase), when circulation is dominated by the central cyclonic eddy and the northwestward coastal current on the mainland shelf, particle retention among assemblages after 30 days is high (>55), and particle dispersion toward the Southern Gulf is low (<17). Thus recruitment of most fish species must occur near their spawning areas: in June, coastal-demersal species such as Gobulus crescentalis and Etropus crossotus, and in August, coastal-epipelagic species such as Opisthonema libertate and species of the genus Anchoa. In winter (anticyclonic phase), when the coastal current is southeastward, particle retention among assemblages is low (<35), and particle dispersion toward the southern gulf is high (>54). Therefore, recruitment may occur away from the spawning locations, as suggested by the wide distribution of Engraulis mordax (coastal-epipelagic) and Benthosema panamense (mesopelagic). Seasonal changes in connectivity routes show that ocean dynamics must be considered in management and conservation plans for marine ecosystems.
AB - Seasonal changes in connectivity routes among larval fish assemblages in the northern Gulf of California were studied with connectivity matrices from particle-tracking with a 3D baroclinic numerical model. Results show strong seasonality in connectivity routes among assemblages according to the seasonal circulation phases. In summer (cyclonic phase), when circulation is dominated by the central cyclonic eddy and the northwestward coastal current on the mainland shelf, particle retention among assemblages after 30 days is high (>55), and particle dispersion toward the Southern Gulf is low (<17). Thus recruitment of most fish species must occur near their spawning areas: in June, coastal-demersal species such as Gobulus crescentalis and Etropus crossotus, and in August, coastal-epipelagic species such as Opisthonema libertate and species of the genus Anchoa. In winter (anticyclonic phase), when the coastal current is southeastward, particle retention among assemblages is low (<35), and particle dispersion toward the southern gulf is high (>54). Therefore, recruitment may occur away from the spawning locations, as suggested by the wide distribution of Engraulis mordax (coastal-epipelagic) and Benthosema panamense (mesopelagic). Seasonal changes in connectivity routes show that ocean dynamics must be considered in management and conservation plans for marine ecosystems.
KW - Gulf of California
KW - Mexico
KW - connectivity routes
KW - larval fish assemblages
KW - three-dimensional baroclinic model
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79551700538&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/plankt/fbq107
DO - 10.1093/plankt/fbq107
M3 - Artículo
SN - 0142-7873
VL - 33
SP - 517
EP - 533
JO - Journal of Plankton Research
JF - Journal of Plankton Research
IS - 3
ER -