Abstract

PEREZ-HERNANDEZ, Marco Aurelio  and  TORRES-OROZCO B, Roberto E. Evaluación de la riqueza de especies de peces en las lagunas costeras mexicanas: estudio de un caso en el Golfo de México. Rev. biol. trop [online]. 2000, vol.48, n.2-3, pp.425-438. ISSN 0034-7744.

We analyze the origin of knowledge about fish species richness in the Tuxpan-Tampamachoco estuarine system, in Veracuz, México. A complete inventory of the fish species known to date for this system (N=179) was elaborated from published lists and from sampling seagrass meadows of Tampamachoco Lagoon, which yielded 14 previously unknown species. When compared, the different lists showed a low similarity that may reflect differences in sampling methods and collecting strategies. Current data suggest that fish species richness in Mexican coastal lagoons (Gulf of Mexico) is not related with lagoon surface area, as has been suggested, but with number of inventorie. A sampling design for the assessment of  fish species richness in estuarine systems should consider: a) using the highest possible variety of sampling fishing gears, b) collecting in all microhabitat types and c) the preference of bimonthly or quarterly samplings for two or more years over monthly samplings in a single year.

Keywords : Fishes; species richness; coastal lagoons; estuaries; Gulf of Mexico.