Resumen

ARCEO-CARRANZA, Daniel et al. Fish as an indicator of ecological restoration of mangroves on the north coast of Yucatán. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2016, vol.87, n.2, pp.489-496. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmb.2016.03.001.

Mangroves are well recognized for the ecological services that they provide to many fish species. Previous studies on ecological restoration have overlooked these ecological functions, as they are generally focused on the restoration of vegetation cover. The objective of this study is to determine the function of mangroves as nursery and feeding grounds for fishes, by assessing the species composition and abundance in sites with different restoration time. Two samplings were performed in 4 sites where mangrove is recovering along the Yucatán coast —Celestún 1, Celestún 2, Yucalpetén, Progreso—. A total of 22 fish species were recorded, the higher richness and diversity were recorded in Celestún 2 (Gambusia yucatana, Poecilia velifera, Mugil cephalus and Anchoa mitchilli were the most abundant). In Progreso, the diversity was lower due to the dominance of G. yucatana (> 90%). The site with the longest restoration time presented juveniles of detritophagous and zoobentophagous species, which show the nursery and feeding functions of the area. These marine species are involved in the transfer of energy and nutrients to adjacent systems, also a great dominance of G. yucatana was found, which is an endemic and characteristic fish species from the mangrove ecosystem in Yucatán.

Palabras llave : Ecological restoration; Mangrove fishes; Nursery areas; Ecological function; Celestún; Progreso.

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