Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

The Mexican Central Pacific (MCP) has complex oceanographic dynamics, with a well-defined seasonal pattern and influence of interannual sea surface temperature anomalies. The present study investigated the relationship between the distribution/abundance of spotted dolphins and the environmental conditions in the MCP. Dolphin sighting data were collected during January 2010–December 2015; distance to coast, sea surface temperature, and chlorophyll a (Chla) were obtained for each sighting location through georeferenced maps and satellite images. A total of 746 spotted dolphin sightings were obtained with a survey effort of 31,695 km. Spotted dolphins in the MCP showed a predominantly coastal distribution regardless of environmental conditions. Significant differences were detected concerning regional seasonal variation, with higher mean sighting rate during the stratified periods and higher density/abundance estimates during the mixed periods. Spotted dolphins showed preference for warmer conditions, with higher mean sighting rate, abundance, and distance to coast during the neutral and warm interannual periods. During the coolest conditions (cold periods), mean sighting rate and abundance decreased and spotted dolphins were located closer to the coast, where Chla concentration increased. These results suggest that changes in the distribution/abundance of these dolphins could be associated with habitat quality related to tropical (El Niño/Southern Oscillation) and extratropical (The Blob) oceanographic phenomena, which could be modulating their foraging activities.

Noise generated by ship traffic is increasing around the world. Hence, there is need to effectively evaluate anthropogenic noise levels in marine habitats. In this study, the noise contribution of ships in the Santiago–Manzanillo bay complex, on the Pacific coast of central Mexico, was assessed. The semienclosed bay complex is one of the most important commercial ports in Mexico, and it is an area with high biological richness and tourism demand, including demand by the informal humpback whale watching industry. Bottom-fixed recording systems were deployed at the entrance to the bay, near the commercial port (Manzanillo Bay), and within the tourist area (Santiago Bay). Monthly acoustic records were obtained from September 2015 to August 2016. Boat categories confirmed by visual sightings were associated with their acoustic signals. According to the diagnostic frequency range, vessel noise was classified into noise coming from large ships (50–220 Hz) or from small vessels (290–500 Hz). Large ships were always detected at both stations, while, as expected, small vessels were more common in tourist areas. Vessel noise in the entire area ranged from 130 to 170 dB (RMS re 1 μPa) and was present up to a median of 81.8% of the time throughout the year, with higher prevalence from 1200 to 1600 hours. Marine traffic activities were constant in the area, but frequency content and sound pressure levels were not equally distributed across the bay. Therefore, it is important to consider the possible differential impacts on marine fauna inhabiting the area.

Although various studies have described behavioral aspects of the marine otter, Lontra felina, on coastal shores with human presence, both its behavior and its activity patterns have been scarcely studied on these types of habitats in Peru. We observed the diurnal behavior of marine otters in 2 locations with different anthropic impacts, Puerto Matarani and La Ballenita Bay, between 01 February and 31 May 2019. We carried out a total of 75 observation events, with 271 sightings and 12,405.4 s of observation. In Puerto Matarani marine otters were sighted more frequently in the water, while in La Ballenita, marine otters were sighted mostly on the rocks (χ2 = 43.8, d.f. = 1, P < 0.001). The frequency of observations for the different types of behavior showed significant differences between locations: they were more frequently observed moving and resting in La Ballenita and moving and diving in Matarani (χ2 = 52.6; d.f. = 5; P < 0.001). The behavioral categories did not differ significantly in the 4 months evaluated in Puerto Matarani, however, in La Ballenita we recorded temporal variations. In both locations, otters were frequently sighted near the coast, with peaks of high activity between 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM in Puerto Matarani and between 05:30 AM and 09:30 AM in La Ballenita. Our results suggest that the behavioral variations between locations could be related to the presence of fishing residues in Puerto Matarani and the presence of vacationers in La Ballenita.

Coralline algae form abundant and ecologically important submerged aquatic vegetation habitats throughout the world. However, algal performance is threatened by climate change and ocean acidification. Previous studies suggest that their photosynthetic performance will be compromised mainly at elevated temperatures. Understanding the impact of diverse climate change scenarios requires a clear and thorough comprehension of the photosynthetic response to temperature gradients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term effect of temperature (10–35 °C) on the gross photosynthesis (GPS), respiration, and electron transport rates (ETRs) of 3 articulated coralline algae (Lithothrix aspergillum, Corallina officinalis, and Bossiella orbigniana) for a better understanding of their metabolism and to investigate the relationship between GPS and ETR as a function of temperature. The results showed that the coralline algal metabolism is highly sensitive to temperature, but responses were species-specific and can be related to their light adaptation/acclimation; the high-light-adapted L. aspergillum was least negatively affected. The photosynthesis to respiration ratio was optimal between 20 and 25 °C according to the local thermal regime but was significantly reduced toward higher temperatures, indicating strong carbon imbalances and highlighting the relevance of thermal stress for coralline algal performance. A strong correlation between GPS and ETR was found between 10 and 30 °C in all species, but both above saturation irradiances and at elevated temperatures (≥30 °C), a clear deviation from linearity occurred. This suggests that ETR is not a good proxy to estimate photosynthetic activity under light or thermal stress. This information should be useful for studies implementing global change scenarios and pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry in coralline algae.

The Gulf of California (GC) features many oceanographic processes. It communicates with the Pacific Ocean via a surface water outflow (0–200 m) with relatively low dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) values and a water inflow (200–600 m) with high DIC values. Data on the marine carbon system in the GC are scarce and most have been taken from the Midriff Islands region, in the central part of the gulf. We explored possible forcing agents that control the ocean–atmosphere CO2 flux (fCO2) variability in 5 coastal zones of the GC. We carried out 6 oceanographic cruises in 5 regions: off northern Sinaloa in September 2016 (NAV2016) and in March 2017 (NAV2017), in the Guaymas Basin (central gulf) in September 2016 (GUA2016), in Concepción Bay (Baja California Sur) in July 2017 (BC2017), in Mulegé (Baja California Sur) in July 2017 (MUL2017), and off Mazatlán (southern gulf) in July 2017 (MAZ2017). We measured temperature, salinity, DIC, and total alkalinity and calculated the surface water partial pressure of CO2 and fCO2. We also used sea surface height anomaly with geostrophic flow, sea surface temperature, and chlorophyll concentration data from satellite imagery to generate composites for the sampling days. The lowest temperature, highest DIC, and negative fCO2 were registered in NAV2017. NAV2016, GUA2016, and BC2017 showed the highest temperatures; and MUL2017 and MAZ2017, intermediate temperatures. The most contrasting fCO2 values occurred in GUA2017 (0.56 ± 0.46 mmol C·m–2·d–1) and MAZ2017 (–2.26 ± 1.85 mmol C· m–2·d–1). In general, fCO2 is determined by the oceanographic conditions of each study area.

Many species in the family Serranidae are hermaphrodites and of commercial importance. Paranthias colonus belongs to this family, and its reproductive traits are unknown. The present research was carried out with specimens taken from the commercial fishery on the southern coast of Jalisco, Mexico. A total of 1,541 specimens were processed, with an average length of 30.30 ± 0.10 cm and a length interval of 19.80 to 38.00 cm. Specimen gonads were analyzed macro- and microscopically. The sex ratio was 1.00:0.97 (F:M). According to the maximum monthly values of the gonadosomatic index, gonad maturity stages, and oocyte diameters, P. colonus has 2 broad reproductive periods, from March to June and from November to December. A significant correlation was found between the monthly mean values of the gonadosomatic index and the relative condition factor. Gonads in the mature stage had oocytes in 6 different development phases, with diameters that ranged from 14.30 to 417.40 µm, which means that oocyte development is asynchronous. In the testicle, the development of the germ line is of the unrestricted lobular type. This organ did not present the typical arrangement found in teleost fish, since lobes seem to be delimited by lamellae. The information developed in this study indicates that P. colonus is a gonochoric species. Average length at sexual maturity was 26.80 cm for females and 26.90 cm for males. Average catch lengths indicated that 79.70% of females and 83.30% of males had already reproduced at least once before being caught.

Climate and oceanic conditions determine the Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) distribution pattern. The present work aimed to identify the spatiotemporal relationship between the distribution and abundance of Pacific hake and the environment in the Gulf of California. Information obtained from 6 research cruises carried out between 2014 and 2019 was analyzed. The results showed that the Gulf of California hake reaches a total length of 105 cm, exhibiting sexual dimorphism at total lengths >73 cm. The highest resource biomass (68,260.37 t) was found in February 2019 at depths between 200 and 300 m and the lowest was found in October 2016 (6,917.80 t) at depths between 100 and 150 m. These centers of abundance were located at bottom temperatures between 13 and 14 °C, north of Ángel de la Guarda Island and between the great islands (Tiburón Island and Ángel de la Guarda Island). After adjusting generalized additive models between seasonal hake catches and different environmental, spatial, and temporal variables, bottom temperature was found to be the variable that best described these centers of abundance.

The small-scale tuna longline fishery operating on the coast of Nayarit started recently in 2013. We provide the first detailed report on some biological parameters for the yellowfin tuna (YFT) in Nayarit (Mexico). We sampled 584 YFT, representing a catch of 25.5 t. We fit the length–weight relationship, used the t-test to determine the type of growth, and estimated the selectivity curve. The total length data varied from 73.0 to 228.0 cm, with a mean of 153.0 ± 23.5 cm (mean ± SD). Weight ranged from 5.8 to 128.0 kg, with a mean of 43.7 ± 19.4 kg. Length–weight fitting results and the t-test suggested negative allometric growth. Selectivity fitting results suggested that selectivity follows an asymptotic pattern. Our results represent the first step into gathering information to establish research and monitoring programs for the YFT on the Pacific coast of Mexico. The information provided in this study could help develop proper regulations to assure a well-managed fishery and the sustainable exploitation of YFT in Nayarit.

The lack of knowledge on the morphological variability in hydrozoan populations has resulted in numerous misidentifications over history. Cladonema radiatum Dujardin, 1843 is characterized by presenting different morphologies in different localities of the world, which has caused many taxonomic confusions within the group. In this study, the morphological variability in a population of C. radiatum is analyzed. The material came from a coastal lagoon in the southern Gulf of Mexico. The samplings were carried out for 3 months in 2017. Salinity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature were recorded at each sampling site. Cladonema radiatum was more abundant and bigger when the lagoon showed the lowest levels of salinity. Six different morphologies were recognized. The presence of gelatinous papillae on the abaxial surface of marginal bulbs and an abaxial arrangement of nematocysts in the shortest branches of the tentacles are features recorded for the first time in the species. These considerations enrich the taxonomic description of C. radiatum and contribute to the knowledge on the taxonomy of Hydrozoa in Mexico. The taxonomy of Cladonema continues to be confusing, and the present work sets a basis for further integrative studies clarifying the morphological boundaries of the genus. However, only integrative works based on the morphology and molecular analyses of the species would be able to decode its cryptic nature.

Based on several in situ observations, the species Ptereleotris calliura (family Gobiidae) and Liopropoma rubre (family Serranidae) are added to the taxonomic fish inventory of the Veracruz Reef System, Veracruz, Mexico. While P. calliura was found on sandy substratum in a coral reef lagoon, L. rubre was detected on a reef slope. With the addition of these 2 species, the checklist of reef fishes in the Veracruz Reef System is expanded to 479 species. Given these findings, we predict that additional survey efforts (beyond visual transects) will reveal more previously unrecorded species of cryptic fishes in the Veracruz reef system.