Regionalization in the distribution of larval fish assemblages during winter and autumn in the Gulf of California

• DOI: 10.3856/vol46-issue1-fulltext-4
• Publication Date: 2018-03-26T16:17:15Z
• Authors: Homero Urias; Gerardo Aceves; Raymundo Avendano; Ricardo Saldierna; Jaime Gomez; Carlos Robinson
• Keywords: Ichthyoplankton; Fish larvae

Larval fish composition and abundance were analyzed during February-March (winter) November-December (autumn) of 2005 to investigate which environmental conditions mesoscale oceanographic processes affect the distribution larval assemblages in Gulf California, if these variables are useful delimit specific regions ichthyofaunal distribution.The overall pattern was mostly a latitudinal gradient two faunistic complexes (temperate northern tropical southern complexes) strongly associated with spatial sea surface temperature.The integration results, previous investigations region, lets us confirm that extend contract their ranges according displacement 21°C isotherm.We identified this be valuable criterion establish limit temperate assemblage, 18°C as assemblage.However, general is maintained only absence features (upwelling eddies) increase drift from coast central region Gulf, particularly period when longitudinal gradients stronger than February-March.