Fish larvae abundance and distribution in the coastal zone off Terminos Lagoon, Campeche (Southern Gulf of Mexico)

Fish larvae abundance and distribution in the coastal zone off Terminos Lagoon and their relation to the environmental features of the Lagoon inlets were analysed (1986-87). The sampling grid consisted of 24 stations extending between 0-5 and 10 km off the Lagoon, including both Terminos Lagoon Inlets; El Carmen and Puerto Real. A total of 23 families and 43 species were identified. Highest larval abundance was registered during the rainy period (July and September) when the fluvial discharges favoured the planktonic development. The lowest larval abundance was recorded in the period of northern cold wind (January-March) when the fluvial discharges decreased. Bray-Curtis index defined two groups of stations, corresponding to each of the lagoon inlets, persisting throughout the year. The first one, 'El Carmen', was characterized by larvae of Engraulidae and Gobiidae; estuarine- dependent inhabitants. This group could be considered as a functional extension of the Lagoon to the sea. The second group, 'Puerto Real ', was characterized by highest larval abundance of marine dwellers (e.g. Opisthonema oglinum and Harengula jaguana). This situation suggests that the Puerto Real Inlet could be the main entrance of marine fishes into the Lagoon. These results indicate that the coastal zone off Terminos Lagoon constitutes an important nursery area both for species spending part of their life cycle linked to this estuarine system, and for marine species that migrate towards the Lagoon, carried by local currents.