Abstract

SANCHEZ RAMIREZ, Claudia  and  RUEDA, Mario. Variación de la diversidad y abundancia de especies ícticas dominantes en el Delta del Río Magdalena, Colombia. Rev. biol. trop [online]. 1999, vol.47, n.4, pp.1067-1079. ISSN 0034-7744.

The fish community in the Magdalena River Delta, Colombia, was studied to assess relationship with habitats and to generate additional information for resource evaluation and management programs. Monthly castnets fish collections (1995 - 1996) were made in Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM), Complejo Pajaral (CP) and Complejo Salamanca Occidental (CSO), all in the Magdalena River Delta; 36 species are present in CGSM, 24 in CP and 42 in CSO, with 11 species common to the three areas. Abundance and catch-per-unit effort were greater in the rainy season, when food availability was greater. The diversity varied during the study period and was higher in CSO where the environmental conditions were better. The geomorphology and environmental conditions determine the habitat adaptation of the species in the Delta. The dominant species have adapted their spawning, nursery and feeding functions to a yearly salinity pattern.

Keywords : Fishfauna; diversity; abundance; coastal lagons.