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Massive influxes of holopelagic Sargassum spp. (Sargassum natans and S. fluitans) have been causing major economic, environmental and ecological problems along the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Predicting the arrival of the sargassum as an aid to addressing these problems is a priority for the government, coastal communities and the society; both mitigating the impacts and providing opportunities for its use. Lack of data concerning precise locations and times of sargassum beachings means that public and private funds are being spent inefficiently and most actions are reactive. The dynamic nature of sargassum beachings/influxes render conventional ground-based monitoring insufficient. Earth observation and cloud-based processing services offer tools to track, quantify and understand sargassum beaching remotely in a frequent, systematic and reliable manner with the temporal and spatial resolutions required for its management. In order to find the right solutions to address this problem, in this paper the needs and requirements of stakeholders are taken into consideration for the development of an Earth observation-based service to monitor sargassum along the Mexican Caribbean coast. Routine monitoring of sargassum over a large area will be cost effective and help mitigate the negative effects of sargassum influxes. The combination of imagery from Planet, specifically their SuperDove systems that provide daily data at 3 m spatial resolutions, with the freely available EU Copernicus data would be useful for many different stakeholders and potential users. A prototype of the service is presented, based on the main user requirements. The system would enable public and private organizations to allocate resources appropriately in affected areas quickly and efficiently, thereby minimizing economic, social and environmental impacts and enhancing the resilience of local communities. It would also assist the sargassum industry in the collection of fresh algae for onward processing. The system could easily be implemented for similar types of environmental monitoring in the Greater Caribbean and beyond.

Los arrecifes de coral están en declive y se espera que su estado empeore aún más si no se establecen medidas de protección y restauración de manera inmediata. Los esfuerzos en la restauración de corales asisten la recuperación de las colonias de corales en áreas degradadas del arrecife. Aunque se ha comprobado que los métodos que utilizan la fragmentación contribuyen a la restauración de la cobertura de corales, esta vía limita la formación de nuevos genotipos a través de recombinación genética. Usar corales obtenidos de reproducción sexual para la restauración permitiría aumentar la heterogeneidad genética y, además, la resiliencia de las colonias cultivadas. La fecha y hora del desove de coral deben ser registradas en las áreas donde se aplicará este método de restauración. No existe reporte científico sobre el desove de Acropora cervicornis en Cuba. En 2018 y 2019, se monitorearon colonias maduras con alta probabilidad de desovar en el Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes (PNG), Occidente de Cuba. En julio-agosto del 2018, 20 colonias fueron monitoreadas y ninguna de ellas desovaron. En agosto del 2019, 31 colonias se monitorearon y tres de ellas desovaron parcialmente y de manera aislada en el tiempo. La causa más evidente de este comportamiento en las poblaciones del PNG en 2019 parece ser las altas temperaturas seguidas de eventos de blanqueamiento.

This dataset accompanies "Spatio temporal variation in octocoral assemblages along a water quality gradient in the northwestern region of Cuba" [1]. Sampling units were quadrats of 1 m

Noticeable within the Mexican Caribbean is the Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park (APMNP), a marine protected area established as an essential component for managing and protecting coral reefs. In June 2019, we conducted a survey in eight shallow reef sites of the APMNP with the purpose of applying a coral reef assessment method, based on biological indicators of the condition of both benthos and fish communities. In this paper we present tables with data of biological and ecological variables such as: benthos coverage, species composition and abundance of corals, abundance of urchins and coral recruits, bleaching, coral diseases and coral mortality percent, reef relief, and composition and abundance of key commercial and herbivorous fish species. The research article related to these databases was published in the journal

In the Mexican Caribbean, 15 marine protected areas (MPAs) have been established for managing and protecting marine ecosystems. These MPAs receive high anthropogenic pressure from coastal development, tourism, and fishing, all in synergy with climate change. To contribute to the MPAs&rsquo, effectiveness, it is necessary to provide a long-term observation system of the condition of marine ecosystems and species. Our study proposes the establishment of a new marine biodiversity monitoring program (MBMP) focusing on three MPAs of the Mexican Caribbean. Five conservation objects (COs) were defined (coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, marine turtles, and sharks-rays) for their ecological relevance and the pressures they are facing. Coral reef, seagrass and mangroves have multiple biological, biogeochemical and physical interactions. Marine turtles are listed as endangered species, and the status of their populations is unknown in the marine area of the MPAs. Elasmobranchs play a key role as top and medium predators, and their populations have been poorly studied. Indicators were proposed for monitoring each CO. As a technological innovation, all information obtained from the MBMP will be uploaded to the Coastal Marine Information and Analysis System (SIMAR), a public, user-friendly and interactive web platform that allows for automatic data management and processing.

This dataset accompanies ''Spatio temporal variation in octocoral assemblages along a water quality gradient in the northwestern region of Cuba'' [1]. Sampling units were quadrats of 1 m2 (each 1 x 1 m), positioned by a random-systematic design at 10 m depth on the rocky-coral substrate. The number of colonies of octocoral species in thirteen fore reefs was counted to determine the composition, richness and abundance (expressed as density) of octocorals for the period from 2008-2015. Density of six species that most influenced spatial variation of octocoral assemblage structure was compared [1]. Species richness of octocorals was determined in each reef and for the 2008-2015 period. The accumulated species richness was calculated based on 100 randomizations without replacement. This dataset can be used in meta-analysis studies on spatial variations of the structure of octocoral assemblages related to anthropogenic activities and climate variability in the Caribbean Sea, as well as, experimental studies on thresholds to specific pollutants.

The condition of coral reefs in the Cuban Archipelago is poorly known. We aimed to analyse coral assemblages across 199 reef sites belonging to 12 localities. Crest and fore reefs were assessed usi...

This study assessed the coral reef condition of two marine protected areas in the Caribbean: Guanahacabibes National Park, Cuba, and Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres-Punta Cancun-Punta Nizuc National Park, Mexico, in a two-year period. The analyzed indicators for corals were live coral cover, diameter and height of the colonies, ancient and recent mortalities and abundance of recruits, which were evaluated in quadrats of 1 m 2 . In addition, it was estimated the coverage by morphofunctional groups of macroalgae in 25 × 25 cm quadrats and the density of the Diadema antillarum urchin in 1 m 2 quadrats. The results showed differences between countries at broad spatial scales (hundreds of kilometers). Reefs of both MPAs seem to be in different stages of changes, which have been associated with deterioration of Caribbean reefs, toward the dominance of more resistant, non-tridimensional coral species, causing a decrease of the reef complexity that may leads to the reefs to collapse. At scales of kilometers (within MPAs), a similar pattern was found in reefs of GNP-Cuba and different trends were observed in reefs of CNP-Mexico. The observed differences between CNP-Mexico sites appear to be associated with the current tourism use patterns.

Rivers are the main sources of nutrients to coastal zones. Therefore, the effects of water quality degradation on octocoral assemblages and their relationship with microbiological and physical-chemical variables were determined in reefs close to river basins in the northwestern region of Cuba. The evaluations were carried out in 1 m2 frames at a depth of 10 m in 13 fore reefs. The highest concentrations of the microbiological variables and hydrochemicals and the lowest horizontal visibility in the water column were detected in the reefs near the river basins. The lowest richness, diversity and octocoral density were related to higher concentrations of fecal coliform, total coliform and fecal streptococcal bacteria, sediment accumulation on the bottom and lower visibility. The structure of the octocoral assemblages varied significantly between reefs due to fecal organic pollution. Water quality deterioration in the reefs near the river basins has negatively affected the octocoral assemblages.

Knowledge of the current condition of reef communities is essential for the implementation of marine protected areas (MPAs). In 2014, we assessed the conditions of reefs of two MPAs in the Caribbean: Guanahacabibes National Park (Guanahacabibes), Cuba and Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres - Punta Cancun - Punta Nizuc National Park (Cancun), Mexico. Within each of the two MPAs studied, we examined two reefs. We took data from fifteen 10-m long transect lines. Indicators included coral cover, diameter of coral colonies, old and recent coral mortalities and coral diseases. The abundance of coral recruits and the density of Diadema antillarum were assessed in 1 m 2 quadrats. The cover of groups of macroalgae was obtained from 25 × 25 cm quadrats. Our data illuminated distinct stages in the loss of reef structure similar to what has been seen by other investigators, particularly the change in the dominance of coral species and the deterioration of the three-dimensional structure of reefs. The Cuevones site (in Cancun), which has been closed to tourism for fifteen years, remains dominated by corals, with a high coral cover (33.36%), but with a species dominance (principally Porites astreoides ), different from the lead species observed in the Caribbean a few decades ago. The reefs of Guanahacabibes (Laberinto and Yemaya) subject to a low diving intensity appear to be at an earlier stage of changes than the Cancun reefs. The coral indicators remains similar to previous reports, so perhaps this can be slowed or reversed. Meanwhile, Manchones in Cancun showed the lowest coral cover (11.49%) and the lowest recruit density (0.6 recruits/m 2 ), probably due to the joint action of the natural pressures and to the heavy influx of visitors these reefs receive.

The Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans is an invasive species that was first recorded in the Guanahacabibes National Park (GNP), a marine protected area in western Cuba, in 2009. In order to determine the invasion progression of this species, we studied lionfish abundance, size, and diet at 6 sites in the GNP between 2010 and 2014. The species’ density, biomass, and length increased over this period, probably due to the abundance of food and shelter in the GNP. Analysis of stomach contents indicated that lionfish fed primarily on fish and crustaceans; main prey were teleosts, predominantly Gobiidae, Pomacentridae, Mullidae, Labridae, Scaridae, and Grammatidae. This example of a rapid increase in an unmanaged population at the onset of invasion provides information that can be used to design a management program targeting lionfish.

The southern archipelagos of Cuba comprise important ecosystems of mangrove, seagrass beds, and coral reefs of regional significance. Biodiversity and fisheries stocks in this area experienced a severe decline due to a combination of factors (overfishing, habitat degradation, climate change). This work presents the main impacts of the project “Southern Archipelagos”, led by the National Center of Protected Areas of Cuba and funded by GEF, between 2009 and 2015 and the trends of the indicators of success. The project contributed to the conservation of marine biodiversity in Cuba through the creation of 12 new marine protected areas (MPAs). “Southern Archipelagos” facilitated the inclusion of the new and existing MPAs in Integrated Coastal Management Zones (ICMZs), thus contributing to buffering the impacts of productive activities and strengthening the integration between the conservation and productive sectors. Studies were conducted to characterize the MPAs and monitoring programs for priority species and ecosystems were implemented, increasing the knowledge available for decision-making about marine species and ecosystems in the region. To guarantee the financial sustainability of MPAs, a strategy for sustainable tourism was developed and a series of studies on the economic value of the goods and services offered by ecosystems were conducted. Different training programs for local leaders, MPAs workers and workers of productive sectors were organized. Sustainable productive alternatives were implemented in several communities diversifying the economic activities of local people. As a result, revenues from a representative sample of 12 MPAs of the project increased in the two currencies that are managed in Cuba.

Marine protected areas have been established as essential components for managing and protecting coral reefs to mitigate natural and anthropogenic stressors. One noteworthy example within the Mexican Caribbean is the Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park (APMNP), where several studies on the coral communities have been carried out since 2006. In June 2019, we conducted a study in eight sites of the APMNP applying a coral reef assessment method based on biological indicators of both the benthos and the fish communities. In this paper, we present the quantitative results of our study and provide a qualitative criterion assessing seven condition indexes through a scoring system. We also present a statistical comparison with a previous study carried out in 2016. The general status of coral reefs was classified as regular due to the low values of coral recruitment rate and biomass of key commercial fish species. However, living coral cover average was above 20%, with a slight dominance of framework building coral species and the presence of low values of fleshy algae cover, these being positive indicators. Our study found a higher proportion of reef promoter elements and a lower proportion of detractors, compared to a previous study carried out in 2016.

Acropora palmata is the most important reef-building species in the crest biotopes in the Caribbean Sea. Their populations have been decimated in the last century by disease outbreaks, hurricanes and coral bleaching events. The species has been declared as threatened based on its wide-range decline and poor recovery. We evaluated the status of A. palmata populations across 41 shallow reefs (= sites) around the Cuban archipelago. Density, maximum diameter, and mortality percentage of A. palmata colonies were quantified as main metrics of status. Living coral cover (all species) and reef complexity per site were quantified as well. Metrics of A. palmata varied significantly among sites. A. palmata density was less than 5 colonies 10 m−1 except in one site and only three sites had dominance greater than 50% with respect to the rest of corals. The diameter of A. palmata colonies ranged from 10 to 600 cm, with 70% of sites having a median of less than 200 cm. The mortality was large, with 50% of the sites having more than 50% of mortality, and six sites having 100% mortality. The three sites with better apparent conditions after metric scores were determined were Faro de Cazones, Cayo Fragoso, and Baracoa. A. palmata populations had a bad or regular status in 38 out of 41 studied sites; but, the abundance of erect colonies in many of the sites favored the reef complexity and likely maintained its ecological functions. The low percentage of living coral tissue likely limits the reproductive potential of the species and hence the resiliency of reef crests. In conclusion, the overall status of the species in Cuban archipelago is bad.

The spread of the Indo-Pacific lionfish has been one of the most rapid marine fish invasions in the history of the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic, and populations of this species pose a threat to native fishes feeding at similar trophic levels due to competition for food. To determine dietary overlap, 899 lionfish and 377 native fishes of the families Haemulidae, Holocentridae, Serranidae and Lutjanidae were caught in three Cuban localities, and their stomach contents were analyzed based on the number of items, frequency, volume and index of relative importance. Diet composition was similar in the studied localities; Lutjanidae, Serranidae and lionfish mainly fed on fish while Haemulidae and Holocentridae primarily consumed small benthic invertebrates. Mantel correlations showed that the consumption of fish and crustaceans did not increase as lionfish increased in size. The degree of dietary overlap between lionfish and some native fishes depends on locality, ecological zone and the characteristics of each family, confirming the opportunistic nature of the invader. It is likely that native fishes are not affected by competition with lionfish for food because they feed on the mostabundant and available organisms; therefore, food availability is not a limiting factor for these groups.

Cuba has recognized that conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity is a priority. One of the main strategies it has developed is the creation of the National System of Protected Areas (Sistema Nacional de Areas Protegidas, or SNAP), which includes an important marine component. Here, we present the current status of the Cuban marine protected areas (MPAs) and their challenges and prognoses. To date, 105 MPAs have been proposed; they cover 25% of the Cuban insular shelf. Of these, 57 have been legally incorporated into the system and 13 more are being managed to its standards, a total of 70 have some degree of implementation. About 30% of the Cuban coral reefs, 24% of the seagrass beds, and 35% of mangroves are legally protected by SNAP. The main challenges are insufficient financing and the difficulty of reinvesting profits generated within these areas. Prohibited fishing practices and capture of protected species are the principle issues that affect MPAs. The priorities for the immediate future are to assess the value of ecosystem services, strengthen connections with fishing communities, and achieve greater integration with other sectors to guarantee the proper management of tourism and fisheries in and near MPAs for the benefit of sustainable development.

Wave exposure can influence community structure and distribution of shallow coral reefs, by affecting organisms both directly and indirectly. To assess the current stony coral community condition under different degrees of wave exposure at a marine protected area of the Gulf of Cazones (SW Cuba), two expeditions were carried out in May 2010 and June 2012. Four sampling sites were sampled at reef crests (1.5 m deep), and twelve at fore-reefs, at 10, 15 and 20 m deep in four geographic locations. Live coral cover, species richness and composition, colony density, and maximum diameter were assessed using the AGRRA 2001 methodology. Multivariate and non-parametric statistics were applied to compare sites. The coral community structure within reef crests was not homogenous. The observed variability of indicators apparently was determined by great coral mortality events resulting from natural disturbances that occurred in the past (hurricanes, bleaching and diseases). Forereef coral communities displayed better condition and lower coral mortality than reef crests. Species richness and coral composition varied, while multivariate and statistical methods did not reveal site grouping with regard to wave exposure. The remaining biological condition indicators were similar among sites, except in the most exposed one, where coral cover and coral size were slightly lower. Wave exposure in the gulf of Cazones seemed not to have a significant influence on differences in condition and structure of the assessed coral communities. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (1): 78-93. Epub 2016 March 01. ResumenEl oleaje es una perturbación natural que puede inferir en la estructura y condición de los arrecifes de coral someros, afectando los organismos directa e indirectamente. Para evaluar la condición de comunidades de corales con diferente exposición al oleaje, se realizaron dos expediciones al Área Marina Protegida del Golfo de Cazones durante mayo 2010 y junio 2012. Se escogieron cuatro arrecifes (localidades) ubicados en posiciones diferentes del golfo. Se ubicaron cuatro sitios en la zona de cresta (1.5 m de profundidad) y 12 en la zona de arrecife frontal (en cuatro localidades a 10, 15 y 20 m de profundidad) donde se replicaron transectos lineales (10 m de largo) de muestreo. Se evaluó la cobertura de coral vivo, riqueza y composición por especies, densidad y diámetro máximo de las colonias mediante la metodología AGRRA 2001. Para la comparación entre sitios se aplicaron métodos evaluativos multivariados y análisis estadísticos no paramétricos. La estructura y condición de la comunidad de corales en las crestas fue distinta pero la variabilidad observada parece responder a grandes eventos de mortalidad producto de huracanes, blanqueamientos y enfermedades del pasado. La condición de los arrecifes frontales fue más favorable observándose menor mortalidad coralina. La riqueza y composición por especies fue variable y los métodos estadísticos y multivariados no definieron grupos de sitios con similitud respecto a la exposición al oleaje. Los demás indicadores biológicos de condición fueron parecidos entre sitios, excepto en el más expuesto al oleaje, donde la cobertura y la talla de los corales fueron ligeramente inferiores. En general, la diferente influencia del oleaje dentro del golfo de Cazones, parece no afectar significativamente la estructura y condición de las comunidades coralinas.

En el 2007 se evaluó el estado de salud de los arrecifes coralinos del Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, Cuba, sobre la base de la condición de las comunidades de corales. Se analizaron indicadores de condición de los corales escleractinios (diámetro máximo, riqueza de especies, enfermedades y mortalidad) a distintas profundidades, en 13 estaciones con diferentes niveles de exposición a los principales fenómenos océano-atmosféricos generadores de oleaje en el área (vientos nortes, sures y alisios). Se identificaron 42 especies de corales pétreos. Las más abundantes fueron: Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea faveolata, Agaricia agaricites y Porites astreoides. El promedio de cobertura de coral vivo varió entre 4.8% y 31.2%, con un promedio general de 17%. El análisis integrado de todos los indicadores de condición de las comunidades de corales sugirió la existencia de dos áreas diferenciadas según la exposición a los vientos y el consecuente efecto del oleaje y los sedimentos. La primera área abarcó el este de la Bahía de Corrientes (entre Uvero Quemado y Cuevas de Pedro), la más resguardada, y donde los indicadores biológicos sugieren un ambiente más favorable. La segunda comprendió la parte occidental más expuesta (entre Veral y Faro Roncali), que presentó la mayor cobertura relativa del conjunto de especies resistentes a la sedimentación, especialmente en 10 y 15 m de profundidad. Estos resultados indican que los arrecifes del Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes no escapan del proceso de degradación que afrontan la mayoría de los arrecifes de la región del Caribe. In 2007, a health assessment of coral reefs in the Guanahacabibes National Park, Cuba, was conducted based on the condition of coral communities. Coral condition indicators (maximum diameter, species richness, diseases and mortality) were evaluated, at different depths in 13 sites with varying exposure levels to the main ocean-atmospheric phenomena that generate waves in the area (north, south and trade winds). Forty two species of stony corals were identified. The most abundant species were Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea faveolata, Agaricia agaricites and Porites astreoides. The average coral cover varied between 4.8% and 31.2%, with a general average of 17%. The integrated analysis of all condition indicators of coral communities suggested the existence of two distinctive areas according to wind exposure and the consequent effect of both waves and sediments. The first area, covering east of Bahía de Corrientes (between Uvero Quemado and Cuevas de Pedro), was more protected and had a more favorable environment, as suggested by the biological indicators. The second area was comprised of the western part, was more exposed (between Veral and Faro Roncali), and showed the highest relative cover of species resistant to sedimentation, especially at 10 and 15 m deep. These results indicate that coral reefs at the Guanahacabibes National Park do not escape from the degradation process faced by most coral reefs in the Caribbean region. Em 2007 avaliou-se o estado de saúde dos recifes coralinos do Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, Cuba, sobre a base da condição das comunidades de corais. Analisaram-se indicadores de condição dos corais escleractíneos (diâmetro máximo, riqueza de espécies, enfermidades e mortalidade) a distintas profundidades, em 13 estações com diferentes níveis de exposição aos principais fenômenos oceano-atmosféricos geradores de ressaca na área (ventos nortes, suis e alísios). Foram identificadas 42 espécies de corais pétreos. As mais abundantes foram Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea faveolata, Agaricia agaricites e Porites astreoides. A média de cobertura de coral vivo variou entre 4.8% e 31.2%, com uma média geral de 17%. A análise integrada de todos os indicadores de condição das comunidades de corais sugeriu a existência de duas áreas diferenciadas, segundo a exposição aos ventos e o consequente efeito da ressaca e dos sedimentos. A primeira área abrangeu o leste da Bahia de Correntes (entre Uvero Quemado e Cuevas de Pedro), a mais resguardada, e onde os indicadores biológicos sugerem um ambiente mais favorável. A segunda compreendeu a parte ocidental mais exposta (entre Veral e Faro Roncali), que apresentou a maior cobertura relativa do conjunto de espécies resistentes à sedimentação, especialmente a 10 e 15 m de profundidade. Estes resultados indicam que os recifes do Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes não se esquivam do processo de degradação que depara a maioria dos recifes da região do Caribe.

The effect of pollution on coral recruitment has been insufficiently studied. This research deals with coral recruitment in coastal areas and aimed to determine the variations of density and dominant species of corals recruits in sites at different distances from pollution sources. The composition and structure of stony coral (scleractinian and milleporids) recruit associations were characterized in the fringing reef of Western Havana, Cuba. This reef is influenced by urban pollution from the Almendares River and a sewage outlet located at its mouth. Four sites were sampled on the upper fore reef escarpment at 10m deep every three months between July 2007 and May 2008. A 25cm side quadrat was used to determine the density and taxonomic composition of recruits smaller than 3cm in diameter. Sampling units were placed following a random-systematic pattern. The mean density of recruits was determined both at assemble and species level. Bifactoral ANOVA tests were applied to compare mean densities at both sampling sites and dates. Student-Newman-Keuls test was applied to compare pairs of means. Cluster and nMDS analyses were applied to evaluate between site similarities. The predominant species was Siderastrea siderea followed by S. radians and Porites astreoides. Recruit densities were similar among La Puntilla, Calle 16 and Acuario sites. Lower densities were always found in Malec6n. Significant differences in mean stony recruit densities were found both between sites and sampling dates. The statistic analysis did not show significant spatial-temporal interactions. Malec6n, the most polluted site, showed the lowest recruit density and the greater presence of species considered as indicators of organic pollution, sedimentation and abrasion. The density of recruit species was higher in October 2007 and lower in May 2008, and it was apparently influenced by reproduction and cold front seasons, respectively. The higher dominance and abundance of S. siderea, S. radians and P. astreoides recruits were apparently due to their high reproductive potential and resistance to disturbances. The identity of dominant species was apparently related to distance from major pollution sources. We highly recommended the replication of this research in other areas of the greater Caribbean region to test the generality of present results and to compare among areas. Future research should take into account the influence of other environmental factors, along with an appraisal of recruit species tolerance to these factors, to better ponder the effect of urban pollution on recruitment. Areas with well assessed pollution regimes are recommended for research.

Resumen El pez león (Pterois volitans) invadió la región del Caribe y tiene el potencial de alterar la composición y estructura de las comunidades de peces en los arrecifes coralinos. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los índices de diversidad en las comunidades de peces nativos en sitios invadidos por el pez león en dos áreas marinas protegidas (AMP) del Caribe y compararlos con datos previos a la invasión. En ambas AMP, Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes (PNG) en el occidente de Cuba y Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak (PNAX) en el S de Quintana Roo, se realizaron censos visuales de las especies de peces en hábitats durante las épocas de seca y lluvia del 2013-2015. Se evaluaron nueve sitios, mediante conteos estacionarios. Se registró mayor riqueza de especies en el PNG (43.47±5.14) que en el PNAX (40.22±4.96). No se observaron diferencias entre épocas en ninguna de las AMP. El pez león se ubicó entre las especies más abundantes del PNG. La abundancia media en el PNG (0.76 ± 1.25) fue mayor a la registrada en el PNAX (0.19±0.46). La diversidad disminuyó después de la llegada del pez león en un solo sitio del PNG y en dos sitios del PNAX, pero al parecer estos resultados están más asociados al efecto de la pesca que a la presencia del pez león. A partir de los resultados y asumiendo que los cambios en las comunidades de peces por el pez león podrían no detectarse aún, recomendamos seguir los monitoreos de los descriptores comunitarios para detectar cambios futuros en las comunidades de peces. Abstract Lionfish (Pterois volitans) invaded the Caribbean region with the potential to alter the composition and structure of native coral reef fish communities. The objective of this study was to analyze the diversity indices of these fish communities potentially affected by lionfish predation and to compare with pre-invasion data. The study was undertaken in two Caribbean marine protected areas (MPAs): Guanahacabibes National Park (PNG) in W Cuba and Xcalak Reefs National Park (PNAX) in S Quintana Roo. We carried out visual censuses of fish species in reef habitats during the dry and rainy seasons of the period 2013-2015. For this, nine sites were defined and evaluated using stationary counts. Our results showed higher species richness (43.47 ± 5.14) and mean abundance (0.76 ± 1.25) in PNG than in PNAX (40.22 ± 4.96, 0.19 ± 0.46, respectively). Diversity decreased after the arrival of lionfish in a single site of PNG and in two sites of the PNAX, but apparently, these results are more related to the fishing activity effect than to the lionfish presence. Based on the results and assuming that changes in the native fish communities by lionfish may not yet be detected, we recommend to continue the monitoring community descriptions in order to detect future changes in native fish communities. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(1): 189-203. Epub 2018 March 01.