Diversity

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28 pages, 20870 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reproductive Life-History Traits of Two Aggregating Reef-Associated Groupers (Red Hind and Yellowfin Grouper) in Marine Protected Areas of Southern Gulf of Mexico

by Thierry Brulé, Doralice Caballero-Arango, Virginia Nóh-Quiñones, Armin Tuz-Sulub, Enrique Puerto-Novelo, Teresa Colás-Marrufo and Ximena Renán

Diversity 2025, 17(7), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17070452 - 26 Jun 2025

Viewed by 1216

Abstract

Overexploitation is the main anthropogenic threat to groupers (Epinephelidae) that aggregate to spawn. Fishing negatively affects their reproductive success and indirectly harms fishery economic yield. In the southern Gulf of Mexico, grouper catches, which include thirteen species, are in decline. A lack of [...] Read more.

Overexploitation is the main anthropogenic threat to groupers (Epinephelidae) that aggregate to spawn. Fishing negatively affects their reproductive success and indirectly harms fishery economic yield. In the southern Gulf of Mexico, grouper catches, which include thirteen species, are in decline. A lack of biological information on each exploited species prevents optimising fishery management. Using histological examination of the gonads, the reproductive traits of red hind Epinephelus guttatus and yellowfin grouper Mycteroperca venenosa were studied from January 2008 to October 2009. Collections were made at two reef systems (Alacranes Reef and Bajos del Norte) on the continental shelf of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, where these species form transient spawning aggregations. The results confirmed that previously identified spawning aggregation sites at both reefs constitute productive seasonal and perennial “hotspots” for both groupers; they spawn annually between January and April. Females of these protogynous hermaphroditic species exhibit a reproductive strategy characterised by asynchronous ovarian development organisation and ovulation. Sex ratios and maximum sizes at each reef suggest that populations of both groupers had a good conservation status as of the late 2000s. Both reefs are now marine protected areas, and a discussion is made of the consequent possible benefits to grouper population conservation and sustainability in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial and Temporal Studies in Marine Protected Areas: Mexican Chapter)

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13 pages, 1018 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nuisance Growth of Cissus verticillata (Vitaceae) Negatively Affects the Structure of Mangroves in Marismas Nacionales Nayarit, Mexico

by Olivia Millán-Aguilar, María Luisa Ordóñez-Rosas, Isaac Castillo-Cruz, Lidia Rodríguez-Arredondo, Marcelino Ruiz-Domínguez, Miguel Ángel Hurtado-Oliva and Marlenne Manzano-Sarabia

Diversity 2025, 17(6), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17060407 - 9 Jun 2025

Viewed by 529

Abstract

Changes in the structure and composition of mangroves may be influenced by anthropogenic and natural causes. Mangrove coverage in Marismas Nacionales Nayarit –a Biosphere Reserve in northwestern Mexico—has declined in the last decades, mostly related to human activities (e.g., opening of the Cuautla [...] Read more.

Changes in the structure and composition of mangroves may be influenced by anthropogenic and natural causes. Mangrove coverage in Marismas Nacionales Nayarit –a Biosphere Reserve in northwestern Mexico—has declined in the last decades, mostly related to human activities (e.g., opening of the Cuautla inlet) and climate variability (e.g., El Niño Southern Oscillation and hurricanes), leading to diverse ecological and socioeconomic consequences. This contribution reports the impact of Cissus verticillata—a climbing plant species—in the structure of mangroves distributed in this Natural Protected Area during 2019 and 2022. Forest structure analysis was compared in four plots of 20 m × 20 m each, all of them influenced by San Pedro Mezquital river. Two plots (Unión de Corrientes) showed the presence of Cissus verticillata, while two nearby plots (Boca de Camichín) recorded no presence of this species. A poor mangrove structure, no natural seedling recruitment and high mortality was observed in those sites with the presence of C. verticillata. These results highlight the vulnerability of mangroves to C. verticillata in Marismas Nacionales Nayarit Biosphere Reserve, which in addition to other human and climate stressors may compromise its ecological integrity in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial and Temporal Studies in Marine Protected Areas: Mexican Chapter)

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32 pages, 5534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Zooplankton of Bahía de Los Ángeles (Gulf of California) in the Context of Other Coastal Regions of the Northeast Pacific

by Bertha E. Lavaniegos, Guillermo Ortuño-Manzanares and José Luis Cadena-Ramírez

Diversity 2025, 17(5), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050316 - 27 Apr 2025

Viewed by 613

Abstract

Bahía de Los Ángeles (BLA) is located on the peninsular coast of the Gulf of California, near to the midriff islands. It is a greatly diverse ecosystem and a marine protected area due to its importance for whale sharks, turtles, and reef fishes. [...] Read more.

Bahía de Los Ángeles (BLA) is located on the peninsular coast of the Gulf of California, near to the midriff islands. It is a greatly diverse ecosystem and a marine protected area due to its importance for whale sharks, turtles, and reef fishes. The bay also supports commercial fisheries that require ecological information for the integrated management of resources. Zooplankton studies are required as is an essential link in the trophic webs. There are few zooplankton studies in BLA focused mainly on the major taxa and species of copepods and cladocerans. Only one study addressed the seasonal variation in zooplankton but with gaps in the sampling. Here, we report the monthly changes in the zooplankton abundance and the composition of the major groups and cladoceran species. Eighty-one samples were collected between September 2017 and January 2019. The holoplankton taxa identified numbered 17, which accounts for 93% of the mean abundance (range 71–100%), with copepods and cladocerans being dominant. The meroplankton consisted of 15 taxa with a greater presence during the warm months (summer–autumn), dominated by the larval stages of bivalves, gastropods, and barnacles. In contrast, many copepod nauplii were found in January associated with low temperatures. Only cladacerans were identified to the species level. They showed strong seasonal fluctuations, reaching a third of the total zooplankton from spring to autumn, with Penilia avirostris being the most abundant species. These results are compared with other temperate and tropical coastal locations of the eastern Pacific. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial and Temporal Studies in Marine Protected Areas: Mexican Chapter)

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20 pages, 11052 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Remote Sensing-Based Assessment of the Long-Term Expansion of Shrimp Ponds Along the Coastal and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California

by David A. González-Rivas, Alfredo Ortega-Rubio and Felipe-Omar Tapia-Silva

Diversity 2025, 17(2), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17020099 - 29 Jan 2025

Viewed by 937

Abstract

Shrimp farming has expanded over coastal areas in Mexico, particularly in the protected regions of Sonora and Sinaloa. Over the past 30 years, the economic activity associated with these farms has grown so much that the amount of shrimp produced in these ponds [...] Read more.

Shrimp farming has expanded over coastal areas in Mexico, particularly in the protected regions of Sonora and Sinaloa. Over the past 30 years, the economic activity associated with these farms has grown so much that the amount of shrimp produced in these ponds now exceeds that harvested from traditional shrimp fisheries. Establishing shrimp ponds has led to significant land changes. The construction of these ponds has fragmented local ecosystems, resulting in permanent alterations to areas such as floodplains, mangrove forests, and dunes, many of which are protected zones. This study aimed to investigate the long-term growth of shrimp farms from 1993 to 2022 and their impact on land-use changes in surrounding ecosystems, focusing on protected areas in the Sinaloa and Sonora coastal regions. We analyzed Landsat images using the Google Earth Engine platform. Our findings indicate that shrimp farm development over the past three decades has been extensive, with protected areas experiencing fragmentation and changes. Remote sensing and platforms like Google Earth Engine enable the effective monitoring of these spatiotemporal changes and their impacts, helping to identify the most affected areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial and Temporal Studies in Marine Protected Areas: Mexican Chapter)

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15 pages, 3999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential Distribution and Carbon Sequestration of Rhizophora mangle L. in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, Baja California Sur, Mexico

by Israel Estrada-Contreras, Alfredo Bermúdez, Rodrigo Serrano Castro and Antonina Ivanova

Diversity 2024, 16(11), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110660 - 27 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1507

Abstract

Mangroves are a type of vegetation distributed in warm areas of the planet. Despite their importance, this flora is seriously threatened by both human activities and climate change. One of the main benefits provided by mangroves is carbon capture and storage, which is [...] Read more.

Mangroves are a type of vegetation distributed in warm areas of the planet. Despite their importance, this flora is seriously threatened by both human activities and climate change. One of the main benefits provided by mangroves is carbon capture and storage, which is key for climate change mitigation. The main objective of this study was to identify the potential distribution and carbon sequestration potential of Rhizophora mangle L. in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve. Potential distribution models were obtained for Baja California Sur, Mexico, using the MaxLike algorithm. For each projection, we used bioclimatic variables from the WorldClim project for current and future conditions (2050 and 2070), two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) and three General Circulation Models (ACCESS-CM2, EC-Earth3-Veg and MPI-ESM1-2-HR). The potential distribution models were developed within the perimeter of El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve as a case study to establish the potential for carbon sequestration under different climate change scenarios. Our results show a possible future carbon sequestration from 10,177,174 Mg of CO₂ and up to 14,022,367 Mg of CO₂ for the ACCESS-CM2 SSP5-8.5 to 2070 and MPI-ESM1-2-HR SSP2-4.5 to 2070 projections, respectively. Mangrove species such as Rhizophora mangle can be an important part of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial and Temporal Studies in Marine Protected Areas: Mexican Chapter)

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20 pages, 4458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Beyond the Beach: Multi-Parameter Interpretation of Shore Deterioration in a Caribbean Reef System

by Laura R. de Almeida, S. Valery Ávila-Mosqueda, Edgar Mendoza, Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek and Rodolfo Silva

Diversity 2024, 16(5), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16050266 - 30 Apr 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1630

Abstract

Throughout the Caribbean region, coastal areas are of vital importance for national incomes from the tourism industry. However, accelerated coastal development has impacted the coastal ecosystems, including the beaches, and deterioration of the shore results from cumulative impacts on both marine and coastal [...] Read more.

Throughout the Caribbean region, coastal areas are of vital importance for national incomes from the tourism industry. However, accelerated coastal development has impacted the coastal ecosystems, including the beaches, and deterioration of the shore results from cumulative impacts on both marine and coastal ecosystems. It is essential to identify the areas that need special attention for targeted management plans and actions, especially in areas with high anthropogenic pressure. This research proposes an integrated assessment of the conservation state of shore and coastal ecosystems in the Puerto Morelos National Reef Park (PNAPM) in the Mexican Caribbean, through the spatial monitoring of key parameters. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was employed to analyze the land use on the shore, foredune condition, morphological characteristics of the beaches, shoreline evolution, and the condition of coral reefs and seagrass meadows. The analysis identified the most critical areas in relation to shore deterioration and priority areas for the preservation of ecosystems. The spatial data obtained for the PNAPM can serve as a basis for ongoing shore monitoring, and targeted management actions through the designation of areas that require either preservation or ecosystem restoration practices. This methodology can be applied to other reef systems in the Caribbean. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial and Temporal Studies in Marine Protected Areas: Mexican Chapter)

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17 pages, 2620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Socioenvironmental and Spatial Criteria as Tools for the Management and Conservation of Hydrozoans in Protected and Unprotected Areas

by Mariae C. Estrada-González, María Esther Jiménez-López, Leonardo Huato-Soberanis and María A. Mendoza-Becerril

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020182 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2510

Abstract

The cnidarians of the class Hydrozoa comprise 3720 species, are globally distributed, and can have complex life cycles. In the Espíritu Santo Archipelago (ESA), Mexico, hydrozoans are understudied, and, for this reason, the present work describes the taxocene of hydrozoans and their oceanographic [...] Read more.

The cnidarians of the class Hydrozoa comprise 3720 species, are globally distributed, and can have complex life cycles. In the Espíritu Santo Archipelago (ESA), Mexico, hydrozoans are understudied, and, for this reason, the present work describes the taxocene of hydrozoans and their oceanographic preferences in the area. Hydrozoans were collected at 12 sampling stations in the archipelago during the temperate season; these organisms were morphologically identified and a systematic list including socioenvironmental attributes (SEA) was created. Species richness was used to assess the representativeness of the sampling and identify the distribution of species assemblages in relation to their SEA and environmental factors. In total, 31 species were described, representing 70% of the area’s potential diversity, and 97% of observations described species that had not yet been recorded in the area. Native, cryptogenic, and exotic species were found, including stinging and harvestable species. Groups with low, medium and high species richness were distributed heterogeneously, forming a spatial aggregation pattern. The results of this work suggest that the ESA has a highly diverse taxocene, with SEA and spatial aggregate structure relevant for integrative management and conservation of hydrozoans in natural protected areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial and Temporal Studies in Marine Protected Areas: Mexican Chapter)

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20 pages, 1924 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Spatiotemporal Relationship between Coastal Habitats and Fish Assemblages at Two Neotropical Estuaries of the Mexican Pacific

by Victor Muro-Torres, Felipe Amezcua, Georgina Ramírez-Ortiz, Francisco Flores-de-Santiago, Felipe Amezcua-Linares and Yareli Hernández

Diversity 2022, 14(8), 619; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14080619 - 2 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2883

Abstract

Differences in fish assemblages’ structures and their relations with environmental variables (due to the variations in sampled seasons, habitats, and zones) were analyzed in two adjacent estuaries on the north Pacific coast of Mexico. Environmental variables and fish catches were registered monthly between [...] Read more.

Differences in fish assemblages’ structures and their relations with environmental variables (due to the variations in sampled seasons, habitats, and zones) were analyzed in two adjacent estuaries on the north Pacific coast of Mexico. Environmental variables and fish catches were registered monthly between August 2018 and October 2020. Multivariate analyses were conducted to define habitats and zones based on their environmental characteristics, and the effect of this variability on fish assemblages’ composition, biomass, and diversity (α and β) was evaluated. A total of 12,008 fish individuals of 143 species were collected using different fishing nets. Multivariate analyses indicated that fish assemblages’ structures were different between zones due to the presence, height, and coverage of distinct mangrove species. Additionally, depth and salinity showed effects on fish assemblages’ diversity (α and β-nestedness), which presented higher values in the ocean and remained similar in the rest of the analyzed zones and habitats. These results and the differences in species replacement (β-turnover) indicate the singularity of fish assemblages at estuaries (even in areas close to the ocean) and the necessity to establish local management strategies for these ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial and Temporal Studies in Marine Protected Areas: Mexican Chapter)

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