Spatio-temporal variation of the structural organization of demersal communities in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico.
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 Order 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.
Torruco
Daniel
D
CINVESTAV- IPN, Mérida Yucatán, Mexico. dantor@mda.cinvestav.mx
Chávez
Ernesto A
EA
González
Alicia
A
D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D044822:Biodiversity; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003445:Crustacea / Q000145:classification; D004447:Echinodermata / Q000145:classification; D005399:Fishes / Q000145:classification*; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000145:classification*; D008800:Mexico; D008974:Mollusca / Q000145:classification; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012621:Seasons