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The present study reports the seasonal dynamics of the fish community structure in the presence of a non-native fish (Pterygoplichthys pardalis) in tropical waterbodies of southern Mexico. The studied floodplain existed in both connected pools and disconnected pools “to the Palizada river”. Local fish fauna showed consistent assemblages across seasons, but among the 17 local fish species recorded, the non-native species P. pardalis showed the highest percentage of contribution to the fish community (ca. 20%). Conversely, the frequency of occurrence and density of the non-native species showed variation in relation to the type of waterbody and seasonality; its density was approximately four times higher in disconnected pools than in connected pools in the rainy season and its predominant size class in both pool types was 21-30 cm in standard length. Interestingly, the diversity of the native species was negatively related to the density of the non-native species, indicating that the presence of P. pardalis can be a factor involved in the decline of native fish diversity in these local communities. Currently, the possible impacts of the presence of P. pardalis on local fish diversity at the regional scale are unknown, but our results suggest that hydrological dynamics regulate the establishment of the non-native species in this region. However, future studies are needed to provide insights into the actual scenario of P. pardalis distribution in Yucatan Peninsula and the possible impacts on the native fish fauna in southern Mexico.

Environmental impacts of mining activities are well known, particularly on-site degradation, but long term effects are less known. Mercury content from vegetation samples from a mine dump and surrounding forests was quantified for understanding the fate of this element in the local the environment. The study area, Tlalpujahua, Michoacán, México, has a mining history going back more than 400 years. Including gold and silver extraction by means of mercury amalgamation for 352 years (1554-1906). Mercury was present in all sampled materials. The highest values correspond to wood samples from the mine dump (13.84 ± 3.88 ppm), while wood samples from adjacent forests had 4.3 ± 2.4 ppm, almost twice as much as coniferous needles, shrub leaves and corn seeds (2.2 ± 0.34 ppm). The highest concentration was found for J. deppeana wood (16.05 ± 2.3 ppm). The capacity of accumulating mercury by Juniperus trees when growing on the mine dumps suggests that this species has a potential to be used for biosequestration purposes.

Amphibian diversity in Neotropical mountains habitats is at risk, particularly those species associated with stream habitats at altitudes >500 m above sea level (a.s.l.). This pertains especially to the amphibian diversity of Mexico, where the number of species is high on the central and southwestern highlands. In the present study, we predicted the potential distribution of Ambystoma ordinarium using a Geographic Information System modeling approach. We used survey data from 2013 to 2015 and historical data reported in databases and literature, and employed environmental variables from the WorldClim–Global Climate Data Project. Our results indicate that a single factor, Mean Diurnal Range, contributed most to the model, followed by other factors (Minimum Temperature of the Coldest Month and Precipitation of the Driest Month). The conservative predicted distribution was 5256 km2, especially in areas have dynamic aquatic ecosystems (e.g., small streams). The highest probability of occurrence of th...

La presencia y abundancia de anfibios esta altamente relacionada con las caracteristicas del habitat y la dinamica estacional (lluvias y secas). En este estudio, se utilizo a la salamandra Ambystoma andersoni para determinar cambios en la abundancia relacionados con la dinamica ambiental en el lago de Zacapu, Michoacan, Mexico. Se realizaron muestreos mensuales de individuos durante la temporada de lluvias (mayo-octubre) y secas (noviembre-abril) en 9 sitios agrupados en 3 zonas (este, centro y oeste) a lo largo de la estacion de lluvias y secas; los parametros fisicoquimicos —temperatura, oxigeno disuelto, pH— y heterogeneidad espacial —vegetacion, sustrato— se registraron in situ. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas en la abundancia de A. andersoni de forma temporal (lluvias vs. secas) y espacial (zona). En general, el lago de Zacapu mostro poca variacion estacional con base en las variables limnologicas obtenidas, resaltando diferencias significativas entre zonas considerando la temperatura y el pH. Sin embargo, hubo diferencias temporales y espaciales en la abundancia de A. andersoni , y se obtuvo una relacion positiva con ambas variables. Estos resultados son utiles para proponer planes de manejo y conservacion (por ejemplo, zonas prioritarias y pesquerias locales) de una especie de anfibio microendemica presente en una zona con alto impacto antropico.

El sistema de tala de impacto reducido busca afectar minimamente la biodiversidad. Sin embargo, su efecto sobre las poblaciones de mamiferos medianos y grandes ha sido escasamente explorado. En la sierra Juarez de Oaxaca, que presenta una alta diversidad de mamiferos medianos y grandes, se ha implementado ese sistema de manejo, lo que permite evaluar los impactos de esta tecnica forestal sobre este tipo de fauna. Se estudio la diversidad y estructura del ensamble de mamiferos medianos y grandes presentes en areas con tala de impacto reducido (n = 3) y areas de conservacion (n = 3). Los resultados indican que este sistema de manejo forestal permite mantener la estructura del ensamble de mamiferos de talla media y grande. Entre los factores que parecen favorecer esta situacion son el tamano pequeno de las areas de manejo y la alta cobertura forestal circundante. La implementacion de esta tecnica en otros ecosistemas forestales puede ayudar a reducir el fuerte impacto que hay sobre las poblaciones de mamiferos silvestres en areas bajo explotacion.

Termites play a key role as ecosystem engineers in numerous ecological processes though their role in the dynamics of wood degradation in tropical dry forests, particularly at the level of the crown canopy, has been little studied. In this study, we analysed the occurrence of termites in the forest canopy by evaluating the density and proportion of living and standing dead trees associated with termites in deciduous and riparian habitats of the tropical dry forest in Chamela, Mexico. The results indicated that 60–98% of standing dead trees and 23–59% of living trees in Chamela were associated with termites. In particular, we found that the density of standing dead trees was higher in deciduous forests (0.057–0.066 trees/m2) than in riparian forests (0.022 and 0.027 trees/m2), even though the proportion of trees was not significantly different among habitats. Additionally, we found a higher density of trees associated with termites in trees of smaller size classes (0.01–0.09 trees/m2) than in larger class sizes (0–0.02 trees/m2). Interestingly, 72% of variation in the density of trees associated with termites is explained by the density of standing dead trees. Overall, these results indicate that standing dead tree availability might be the main factor regulating termite populations in Chamela forest and suggest that termites could play a key role in the decomposition of above-ground dead wood, mediating the incorporation of suspended and standing dead wood into the soil.

Cenotes are permanent aquatic systems formed by geomorphologic processes (karst), located in the Yucatán Peninsula. Many of these oligotrophic systems are connected superficially to wetlands during the wet season. We describe the fish community structure in 4 cenotes during the rainy and dry seasons over a 4-year period and relate it to limnetic dynamics in each cenote. We sampled cenotes to describe morphology, water physicochemical characteristics, primary production, and invertebrates and fish abundance and richness. We did not find differences in physicochemical variables between seasons but we did find differences among years and among cenotes. We found 11 fish species (25% of the total richness reported for the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka'an) from 5 families: Cichlidae, Poeciliidae, Characidae, Pimelodidae and Synbranchidae. We noted little seasonal or inter-annual variation of fish species richness. But there were higher differences of fish species richness and abundances among cenotes. Fish community structure was correlated with temperature, transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, periphyton and zooplankton abundance. Results showed that physicochemical variables and fish community structure are not affected by seasonal hydrology dynamics, suggesting that cenotes are stable aquatic systems compared to the surrounding wetlands. Other limnetic factors such as cenote morphology are also related to fish community structure.

Summary 1. Fish community structure depends on biotic interactions and abiotic variables. Abiotic variables appear to gain importance in highly variable freshwater systems, such as tropical wetlands where a marked seasonal hydroperiod (dry and wet seasons) modifies water quality and quantity, differentially affecting fish survival and, consequently, modifying species richness and abundance. 2. We evaluated the relationship between abiotic variables and fish community structure in variable (temporary) and stable (permanent) pools that were interconnected in a tropical wetland with marked annual dry and wet seasons. 3. All fish species were able to occupy any of the studied pools, but our results showed distinctive fish community structures in permanent and temporary pools. Community structure was related to temperature, depth, pH and macrophyte coverage. Total fish abundance in the wetland was negatively related to water depth and positively related to macrophyte coverage. 4. Null models of co-occurrence indicated a non-random pattern at the wetland scale and a random pattern within groups of pools with similar characteristics, suggesting that fish communities are structured according to habitat features. We conclude that seasonal abiotic variation and habitat characteristics in this highly variable pristine wetland play major roles in structuring fish communities.

Larval feeding studies of both ornamental and consumable fish species are important for formulating successful management, and culture strategies for conservation purposes. In the present study, we evaluated prey selectivity for the tropical gar Atractosteus tropicus in the larval stage (first 8 weeks) using the zooplankton Artemia fransiscana, Daphnia pulex and Moina macrocopa as prey following the hypothesis that prey selection of the fish species is related not only to prey species preferences but to the difference in prey densities present in the environment. Functional responses were tested at prey densities of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 ind. mL-1 and analyzed using Manly’s α. For prey selectivity, we used the three zooplankton species at three different densities. In these two experiments the fish larvae were allowed to feed for 45 min. To quantify feeding behavior (encounters, attacks, captures, ingestions, rejections) we used a density of 1 ind. mL-1 using each prey species based on 10 minutes of direct observation. Our results showed a functional response Type II for A. tropicus preying mostly on A. franciscana and M. macrocopa. The Manly’s α index showed that M. macrocopa and A. franciscana are the most preys selected. The values for encounters for the three prey species were relatively constant during the eight weeks. Encounter values for the cladocerans were low in comparison to A. franciscana; however, high success in capture and ingestion was observed for all prey species used. Our results from the functional response experiments supports the hypothesis that A. tropicus is an active predator presenting a functional response of a carnivorous fish and the shift in prey selection suggests that even at low prey availability, A. tropicus is able to manipulate and feed on zooplankton of wide range in size. Also, according to our results, we suggest the use of a mix of A. franciscana and M. macrocopa to feed A. tropicus in culture systems in concentrations ≈ 2 ind. mL-1 during the first 3 weeks of age and then shift to M. macrocopa from the 4 week. Our results, in conjunction with studies on the survivorship of the juveniles would aid in conservation efforts and improve the production of gars in aquaculture. Estudios sobre alimentación en etapa larvaria en peces ornamentales como de consumo son importantes para formular estrategias exitosas de manejo y cultivo con fines de conservación. En el presente estudio evaluamos la selectividad de presa del pejelagarto Atractosteus tropicus en etapas larvarias (primeras 8 semanas) utilizando el zooplancton Artemia fransiscana, Daphnia pulex y Moina macrocopa como presas probando la hipótesis de que selección de presas en peces está relacionado no solamente a la preferencia por la especie de presa sino también a la diferencia en la densidad de presas en el ambiente. Se probó la respuesta funcional con densidades de presa de 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 y 8.0 ind. mL-1. Para la selección de presa, utilizamos las tres especies de zooplancton en tres densidades diferentes. En ambos experimentos, las larvas de los peces se alimentaron por 45 min. Para cuantificar el comportamiento alimenticio (encuentros, ataques, capturas, ingestiones, rechazos), utilizamos una densidad de 1 ind. mL-1 utilizando cada especie de presa mediante observación directa por 10 minutos. Nuestros resultados muestran que A. tropicus presenta una respuesta funcional Tipo II, depredando principalmente A. franciscana y M. macrocopa. El índice α de Manly mostró que las especies M. macrocopa and A. franciscana fueron las mayormente seleccionadas. Los valores de encuentros para las tres especies de presa fueron relativamente constantes a lo largo de las ocho semanas. Los valores de ataque, captura e ingestión para los cladóceros fueron bajos; sin embargo, se observó gran éxito en la captura e ingestión para todas las especias de presa utilizadas. Nuestros resultados sobre los experimentos de respuesta funcional soportan la hipótesis de que A. tropicus es un depredador activo y presenta una respuesta funcional relacionada a especies de peces carnívoras y que el cambio en la selección de presas sugiere que aún a bajas densidades y disponibilidad de presas, A. tropicus es capaz de manipular y alimentarse de presas de diferentes tamaños. También, sugerimos el uso de una mezcla de A. franciscana y M. macrocopa para alimentar a A. tropicus en sistemas de cultivo en concentraciones ≈ 2 ind. mL-1 durante las primeras tres semanas de edad y después cambiar a M. macrocopa a partir de la cuarta semana. Nuestros resultados, junto con estudios sobre sobrevivencia de los juveniles pueden ayudar para generar esfuerzos de conservación y mejorar la producción de pejelagarto en acuicultura.

Ecosystem engineering by insect herbivores occurs as the result of structural modification of plants manipulated by insects. However, only few studies have evaluated the effect of these modifications on the plant responses induced by stem-borers that act as ecosystem engineers. In this study, we evaluated the responses induced by the herbivory of the twig-girdler beetle Oncideres albomarginata chamela (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) on its host plant Spondias purpurea (Anacardiaceae), and its relationship with the ecosystem engineering process carried out by this stem-borer. Our results demonstrated that O. albomarginata chamela branch removal induced the development of lateral branches increasing the resources needed for the development of future insect generations, of its own offspring and of many other insect species. Detached branches represent habitats with high content of nitrogen and phosphorous, which eventually can be incorporated into the ecosystem, increasing nutrient cycling efficiency. Consequently, branch removal and the subsequent plant tissue regeneration induced by O. albomarginata chamela represent key mechanisms underlying the ecosystem engineering process carried out by this stem-borer, which enhances arthropod diversity in the ecosystem.

We quantified the patterns of zooplanktonic prey (Brachionus calyciflorus, Daphnia pulex, and Moina macrocopa) selection and capture behavior during the early larval stages (first seven weeks) of S. multipunctata. Encounters with B. calyciflorus decreased with increasing larval age of S, multipunctata. Regardless of the larval age, B. calyciflorus was hardly rejected by S. multipunctata The trends in the feeding behavior for both the cladoceran prey were nearly similar. When either D. pulex or M. macrocopa was used as prey, larvae of S. multipundata showed increased encounters, attacks, captures, and ingestions with increasing larval age. More individuals of D. pulex than M. macrocopa were rejected by larval S. multipunctata. S. multipunctata showed clear preferences for B. calyciflorus and M. macrocopa and avoidance of D. pulex. Regardless of the age of the larvae, there was an inverse relation between the quantity of prey consumed and the size of zooplankton.

BackgroundEcosystem engineering may influence community structure and biodiversity by controlling the availability of resources and/or habitats used by other organisms. Insect herbivores may act as ecosystem engineers but there is still poor understanding of the role of these insects structuring arthropod communities.Methodology/principal findingsWe evaluated the effect of ecosystem engineering by the stem-borer Oncideres albomarginata chamela on the arthropod community of a tropical dry forest for three consecutive years. The results showed that ecosystem engineering by O. albomarginata chamela had strong positive effects on the colonization, abundance, species richness and composition of the associated arthropod community, and it occurred mainly through the creation of a habitat with high availability of oviposition sites for secondary colonizers. These effects cascade upward to higher trophic levels. Overall, ecosystem engineering by O. albomarginata chamela was responsible for nearly 95% of the abundance of secondary colonizers and 82% of the species richness.Conclusions/significanceOur results suggest that ecosystem engineering by O. albomarginata chamela is a keystone process structuring an arthropod community composed by xylovores, predators and parasitoids. This study is the first to empirically demonstrate the effect of the ecosystem engineering by stem-boring insects on important attributes of arthropod communities. The results of this study have important implications for conservation.

"La Mesa Central de México cuenta aproximadamente con 100 especies nativas de peces, el 70% son endémicas de la región. Los ecosistemas de esa área geográfica son sobre los que mayor impacto ha tenido la actividad antropogénica. El grupo de peces más representativo es el de los goodeidos que aparentemente han sobrevivido a grandes cambios de calidad de agua y flujo hídrico. Para entender los cambios en la distribución de esta familia, el presente trabajo documenta las desapariciones y extinciones locales de especies de goodeidos y su relación con las diferentes regiones de la Mesa Central. Para conocer su distribución previa, se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica y en bases de datos de colecciones. Estos registros se compararon con recolectas realizadas entre junio de 1999 y septiembre del 2004 en 287 localidades en 15 estados de la República Mexicana. Se cubrió el 95% de los sitios de recolecta que presentaban registros previos. La comparación entre distribuciones arrojó que en el 68% de estos sitios se registró la desaparición de alguna especie. En 9 de las 18 regiones, las especies previamente registradas redujeron su distribución a la mitad, han desaparecido 5 en más del 50% de su intervalo de distribución y al menos 2 se señalan como extintas. Las especies se clasifi caron según su vulnerabilidad y las localidades fueron categorizadas de acuerdo al promedio de desaparición de poblaciones. Se discute el efecto de las extinciones sobre la viabilidad de las especies a largo plazo, y la pertinencia de establecer áreas de conservación para los goodeidos. Las extinciones locales pueden afectar la viabilidad de las especies, y por lo tanto es urgente generar áreas de conservación para los godeidos."

ResumenSe analizó la estructura de la comunidad de peces y se determinaron algunos parámetros fisicoquímicos durante 4 colectas nocturnas en la desembocadura de los estuarios de barra de Nexpa, Teolán, Mexcalhuacán y barra de Pichi, Michoacán, México. Se capturaron un total de 2 014 individuos con un peso de 10 393.42g, pertenecientes a 31 especies y 20 familias. Barra de Nexpa registró la mayor riqueza con S=21 y el mayor porcentaje de especies raras con 22.6%. La especies con mayor abundancia fueron Agonostomus montícola y Mugil curema, mientras que Dormitator latifrons y Lutjanus novemfasciatus registraron la mayor biomasa. La salinidad, temperatura, oxígeno disuelto y transparencia mostraron diferencias significativas por temporadas, influidas por la variación estacional de la precipitación. La composición y especies dominantes fueron distintas en cada sitio y en cada temporada, mientras que la abundancia, biomasa y riqueza no mostraron variación significativa. La comunidad de peces estuvo compuesta por especies marinas y dulceacuícolas que utilizan los estuarios como zonas de crianza, especies marinas que se integran al estuario de manera ocasional y especies estuarinas que forman parte de estos ecosistemas durante la mayor parte de su ciclo de vida.AbstractCommunity structure of estuarine fish fauna were analyzed in estuaries of Barra de Nexpa, Teolán, Mexcalhuacán and Barra de Pichi, Michoacán, Mexico for four night collections at the mouth of every estuary. Also, some physicochemical parameters were determined. Were captured a total of 2 014 individuals with a weight of 10 393.42g, belonging to 31 species and 20 families. Barra de Nexpa recorded the highest richness (S=21) and the highest percentage of rare species (22.6%). The most abundant species were Agonostomus montícola and Mugil curema while Lutjanus novemfasciatus and Dormitator latifrons recorded the highest biomass. Salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and transparency, showed significant seasonal differences influenced by seasonal variation in precipitation. The composition and dominant species were different at each site and in each season while the abundance, biomass and richness showed no significant variation. The fish community was composed of marine and freshwater species that use estuaries as nursery areas, marine species that are incorporated into the estuaries occasionally and estuarine species that are part of these ecosystems for most of its life cycle.

We compared fish diet composition between permanent (P) and semi-permanent (SP) pools in Petenes Biosphere Reserve (PBR), Campeche. A total of 445 gut contents were examined to determine stomach relative fullness (RF), fish diet as index of niche breadth (INB) and diet overlap. In SP pools, species showed a RF of 1.66 (57.20 % empty stomachs) whereas in P pools, the RF was 2.91 (31.16%). We classified fish diet into six trophic groups: detritivorous, herbivorous-detritivorous, insectivorous, piscivorous, omnivorous and malacophagous. Species in P pools were found to be specialist. Conversely, species present in both habitats shifted to generalist patterns. There was a 54.0% dissimilarity in fish diet composition between pools. From all items identified, detritus (21.33% of the total dissimilarity), aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates (12.31%), fish remains (10.29%), plant remains (7.37%), and crustaceans (2.74%) distinguished diets between pools. Significant diet overlaps (>0.6) and low INB values (0.5) were observed. In SP pools seasonality had a strong effect on fish diet, increasing the frequency of food items such as terrestrial insects, amphipods and arachnids, during the rainy season while P pools showed lower variation. Thus, fish trophic habits appear to be regulated by pools hydrology. Se analizaron y compararon los contenidos estomacales de la ictiofauna en cuerpos de agua permanentes (P) y semi-permanente (SP) de la reserva de la Biosfera Los Petenes, Campeche. Se analizaron un total de 445 estómagos en los cuales se determino la diversidad de dieta (como Índice de amplitud de nicho = INB), plenitud relativa de estómagos (PRE) y traslape de dietas. En las pozas SP 57.20 % de los estómagos se encontraron vacíos y los estómagos con alimento presentaron un PRE de 1.66. En las pozas P solo el 31.16 % de los estómagos se encontraron vacíos y un PRE de 2.91. Los peces se clasificaron en seis grupos tróficos: detritívoros, herbívoros-detritívoros, insectívoros, piscívoros, omnívoros y malacófagos. Los individuos en la pozas P tendieron a presentar dietas especializadas mientras que en las pozas SP patrones generalistas. Se observo una disimilitud de dietas entre pozas del 54.0 % asociada a los items: detritus (21.33%), invertebrados acuáticos y terrestres (12.31%), fragmentos de peces (10.29%), fragmentos de vegetación (7.37%) y crustáceos (2.74%). Los mayores traslapes de dietas (> 0.6) y menores INB (< 0.3) se observaron en especies presentes en las pozas P mientras que en las pozas SP se observaron valores de traslape intermedios-bajos ( 0.5) en especies que utilizaron mayores fuentes de alimento. En las pozas SP la estacionalidad tuvo una marcada influencia en la proporción de los ítems: insectos acuáticos, anfípodos y arácnidos, los cuales presentaron mayores frecuencias, sobre todo en la época de lluvias, mientras que las pozas P no presentaron cambios significativos. Los resultados sugieren que los peces en pozas de la RBP modifican su dieta en función de la hidrología de los cuerpos de agua, con un patrón trófico particular a escala regional comparado con otros cuerpos de agua estacionales en Centro y América del Sur.