Abstract

TORRUCO, Daniel; CHAVEZ, Ernesto A  and  GONZALEZ, Alicia. Spatio-temporal variation of the structural organization of demersal communities in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico. Rev. biol. trop [online]. 2007, vol.55, n.2, pp.509-536. ISSN 0034-7744.

Structural patterns of a sublittoral community were analyzed through a two-year series of samples in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico. The groups involved in the study comprise fishes, molluscs, echinoderms and crustaceans. The time-space progressions of Second 0rder diversity values range between N₂=5.3 and N₂=9.8 at depths of 40 and 20 m respectively, through the first year of samples. In the second year the highest value (N₂=22.2) was found at 30 m. The community ordination data through cluster and principal components analysis show five assemblages: benthic, benthic-demersal, demersal, mid water column, and temporary. There is a striking difference in trophic web structure between the dry season and rainy season. Fish community resource partitioning shows that the components are organized in three guilds: ichthyophagous, carcinophagous and omnivorous. However, a partial overlap of niches was commonly observed, and juvenile stages showed a narrower trophic spectrum than adults. Rev. Biol. Trop. 55 (2): 509-536. Epub 2007 June, 29.

Keywords : marine invertebrates; fish; community composition; diversity; trophic spectrum; Gulf of Mexico; Veracruz.

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