Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mangrove ecology, aquatic primary productivity, and fish community dynamics in the Teacapán-Agua Brava Lagoon-Estuarine system (Mexican Pacific)

  • Published:
Estuaries Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aquatic primary productivity, mangrove ecology, and fish community dynamics were investigated in the Teacapán-Agua Brava lagoon-estuarine system, the most extensive mangrove ecosystem on the Pacific coast of Mexico with three species of mangroves distributed heterogeneously (Laguncularia racemosa, Rhizophora mangle, andAvicennia germinans). Tree density was 3,203 trees ha−1 and basal area was 14.0 m2 ha−1. Litterfall was 1,417 g m−2 yr−1, characteristic of a productive riverine forest. The degradation constant forLaguncularia racemosa leaves varied from 1.71 to 4.7 yr−1 and mean annual net aquatic productivity was 0.41 g C m−3 d−1. There were high concentrations of humic substances (up to 150 mg l−1) early in the wet season. Seasonal variations of the above parameters seemed closely related to the ecology of fish populations. There were 75 fish species distributed in two principal assemblages associated with wet and dry seasons. Diversity and biomass analysis indicated 18 dominant species. Total biomass of the community in this coastal system was estimated at 10 g wet wt m−2. The highest biomass occurred in the wet season. The most common fish species wereMugil curema, Achirus mazatlanus, Galeichthys caerulescens, Arius liropus, Diapterus peruvianus, Lile stolifera, Centropomus robalito, andEucinostomus sp., all of which have fishery importance. Primary productivity and fish community ecology are controlled by habitat characteristics, river discharge, and climatic seasonality.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Alvarez-Rubio, M., F. Amezcua-Linares, andA. Yáñez-Arancibia. 1986. Ecología y estructura de la comunidad de peces en el sistema Lagunar Teacapán-Agua Brava. Nayarit, Pacífico central de México.Anales del Instituto del Ciencias del Mar y Limnología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México 13:185–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amezcua-Linares, F. 1977. Generalidades ictiologicas del sistema lagunar costero de Huizache-Caimanero Sinaloa, Mexico.Anales del Instituto del Ciencias del Mar y Limnología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México 4:1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amezcua-Linares, F., M. Alvarez-Rubio, andA. Yáñez-Arancibia. 1987. Dinamica y estructura de la comunidad de peces en un sistema ecológico de manglares de la costa del Pacífico de México, Nayarit.Anales del Instituto del Ciencias del Mar y Limnología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México 14:92–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arenas, V. 1979. Balance anual del carbono organico, nitrogeno y fosforo en el sistema lugunar Huizache-Camanero, Sinaloa, Mexico, Ph.D. Dissertation, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 114 p.

  • Bennet, J. 1986. Effect of discharge on the chlorophyll a distribution in the tidally-influenced Potomac River.Estuaries 9:250–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyton, W. R., W. M. Kemp, andC. W. Keefe. 1982. A comparative analysis of nutrients and other factors influencing estuarine phytoplankton, production. p. 69–90.In V. S. Kennedy (ed.), Estuarine Comparisons. Academic Press Inc., New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, S. andA. Lugo. 1982. A comparison of structural and functional characteristics of saltwater and freshwater forested wetlands, p. 109–130.In B. Gopal, E. Turner, R. Wetzel, and D. Whigham (eds.), Wetlands: Ecology and Management. Proceedings of the First International Wetlands Conference. International Scientific Publications, India.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunt, J. S. 1982. Studies of mangrove litter fall in tropical Australia. p. 223–237.In B. F. Clough (ed.), Mangrove Ecosystems in Australia: Structure, Function and Management. Australian National University Press, Canberra.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, M. R., L. A. Burus, T. R. Cavinder, K. R. Dugger, P. L. Fore, D. B. Hicks, H. L. Revells, andT. W. Schmidt. 1973. Ecosystem analysis of Big Cypress Swamp and estuaries. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IV, Atlanta, Ga. 350 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cottan, C. andJ. D. T. Curtis. 1974. The use of distance measures in phytosociological sampling.Ecology 37:451–460.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curray, J. R., F. J. Emnel, and P. J. S. Cromton. 1969. Holocene history of the strand plain lagoonal coast of Nayarit, Mexico, p. 63–100.In A. Ayala-Castañares and F. B. Phleger (eds.), Coastal Lagoons: A Symposium. Mem. Simp. Intern. Lagunas Costeras UNAM-UNESCO. Mexico, D.F.

  • Daniels, K. 1979. Habitat designation bases on cluster analysis of ictiofauna, p. 317–324.In J. W. Day, Jr., D. D. Culley, R. E. Turner, and A. J. Murphrey (eds.), Proc. Third Coastal Marsh and Estuary Management Symposium. Louisiana State University, Division of Continuing Education, Baton Rouge, La.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, J. W., Jr.,R. Day, M. T. Barreiro, F. Ley-Lou, andC. Madden. 1982. Primary production in the Laguna de Terminos, a tropical estuary in the southern Gulf of Mexico.Oceanologica Acta 5:269–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, J. W., Jr.,W. H. Conner, F. Ley-Lou, R. Day, andA. Machado. 1987. The productivity and composition of mangrove forest, Laguna de Terminos, Mexico.Aquatic Botany 27:267–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Day, J. W., Jr.,C. Madden, F. Ley-Lou, R. G. Wetzel, andA. Machado. 1988. Aquatic primary productivity in the Laguna de Terminos, Chapter 13 p. 221–235.In A. Yáñez-Arancibia and J. W. Day, Jr. (eds.), Ecology of Coastal Ecosystems in the Southern Gulf of Mexico: The Terminos Lagoon Region. Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnologií. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Editorial Universitaria, México D.F.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deegan, L. A. andB. A. Thompson. 1985. The ecology of fish communities in the Mississippi River deltaic plain. Chapter 4 p. 35–56.In A. Yáñez-Arancibia (ed.), Fish Community Ecology in Estuaries and Coastal Lagoons: Towards an Ecosystem Integration. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Press, Mexico D.F.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, R. R. 1978. Ecology of a coastal lagoon complex in Mexico.Estuarine Coastal Marine Science 6:75–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Espinoza, M., P. Sánchez, and E. Muñoz. 1981. Valor energético del detritos y algunos aspectos sobre la productividad y degradación deRhizophora mangle, en tres zonas de manglar de la Bahía de La Paz, Baja California Sur. Informe Technico, Laboratoria Ciencias de Investigationes Biologicas:137–179.

  • Fenchel, T. 1970. Studies on the decomposition of organic detritus derived from the turtle grassThallasia testudinum.Limnology and Oceanography 15:14–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flores-Verdugo, F., J. Day, andR. Briseño-Dueñas. 1987. Structure, litter fall, decomposition, and detritus dynamics of mangroves in a Mexican coastal lagoon with an ephemeral inlet.Marine Ecology Progress Series 35:83–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flores-Verdugo, F., J. Day, L. Mee, andR. Briseño-Dueñas. 1988. Phytoplankton production and seasonal biomass of seagrass,Ruppia maritima L., in a tropical Mexican lagoon with an ephemeral inlet.Estuaries 11:51–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • García, E. 1973. Modificaciones al Sistema de Clasificación climática de Koeppen. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Geographica, Mexico, D.F. 246. p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilmartin, M. andN. Revelante. 1978. The phytoplankton characteristics of the barrier island lagoons of the Gulf of California.Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science 7:29–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • González-Farías, F. A. 1985. Importancia ecológica de la materia orgánica y su biodegradación en el estero de El Verde, Sinaloa, México. Ph.D. Dissertation. Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. 171 p.

  • Heald, E. J. 1969. The production of organic detritus in a South Florida estuary. Ph.D. Dissertation. Univ. of Miami, Florida. 110 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heald, E. J. andW. E. Odum. 1970. The contribution of mangrove swamps to Florida fisheries.Proceedings of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute 22:130–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrickx, M. E. 1984a. Estudio de la fauna marina y costera del Sur de Sinaloa, México. II. Los crustaceos decapodos del Estero El Verde.Anales del Instituto del Ciencias del Mar y Limnología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México 11:23–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrickx, M. E. 1984b. Estudio de la fauna marina y costera del Sur de Sinaloa, México. III. Clave de identificación de los cangrejos de la familia Portunidae. (Crustacea: Decapoda).Anales del Instituto del Ciencias del Mar y Limnología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México 11:49–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lugo, A. E. andS. C. Snedaker. 1974. The ecology of mangroves.Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 5:39–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malley, D. F. 1978. Degradation of mangrove leaf litter by the tropical sesarmid crabChiromanthes onycophorum.Marine Biology 49:377–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mantoura, R. F. C. andJ. P. Riley. 1975. The analytical concentration of humic substances from natural waters.Annals Chemica Acta 76:97–107.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mee, L. D. 1978. Chemistry in coastal lagoons, p. 410–441.In J. P. Riley and R. Chester (eds.), Chemical Oceanography. Academic Press Inc., New York. 8(42).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nixon, S. W. 1982. Nutrient dynamics, primary production and fisheries yields of lagoons.Oceanologica Acta 5:357–371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odum W. E. and A. A. de la Cruz. 1967. Particulate organic detritus in a Georgia salt marsh-estuarine ecosystem, p. 383–388.In G. H. Lauff (ed.), Estuaries, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Special Publication 83, Washington, D.C.

  • Odum, W. E., C. C. McIvor, andT. J. Smith, III. 1982. The ecology of mangroves of south Florida: a community profile. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, D.C. FWS/OBS-81/24. 154 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pool, D. J., A. E. Lugo, andS. C. Snedaker. 1975. Litter production in mangrove forests of southern Florida and Puerto Rico, p. 213–237.In G. E. Walsh and H. J. Teas (eds.), Proceedings of the International Symposium on the Biology and Management of Mangroves. Institute of Food and Agriculture Science, University of Florida, Gainsville.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pool, D. J., S. C. Snedaker, andA. E. Lugo. 1977. Structure of mangrove forests in Florida, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Central America.Biotropica 9:195–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prakash, A., M. Rashid, A. Jensen, andD. Subba Rao. 1973. Influence of humic substances on the growth of marine phytoplankton: Diatoms.Limnology and Oceanography 13:598–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Randall, J. M. andJ. W. Day, Jr. 1987. Effects of river discharge and vertical circulation on aquatic primary production in a turbid Louisiana (USA) estuary.Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 21:231–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redfield, J. A. 1982. Trophic relationships in mangrove communities, p. 259–262.In B. F. Clough (ed.), Mangrove Ecosystems in Australia: Structure, Function and Management. Australian National University Press, Canberra.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robles-Jarero, E. G. 1985. Productividad primaria del fitoplancton y distribución temporo-espacial de pigmentos fotosintéticos (Clorofila “a” y Feopigmentos) en el Estero de Urías, durante un ciclo Anual (Septiembre 1982–Agosto 1983). Tesis Professional, Escuela de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, 76 p.

  • Sandoval-Rojo, L., F. Flores-Verdugo, U. Saragoza-Araujo, J. W. Day, andA. Estrada-Mercado. 1988. Phytoplankton productivity in the Barra de Navidad coastal lagoon on the Pacific coast of Mexico.Revue D'Hydrobiologie Tropicale 21:101–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shannon, C. E. andW. Weaver. 1963. the Mathematical Theory of Communication. U. Illinois Press, Urbana. 117 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, T. J. 1987. Seed predation in relation to tree dominance and distribution in mangrove forests.Ecology 68:266–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sneath, P. H. A. andR. R. Sokal. 1973. Numerical Taxonomy. Freeman, San Francisco. 573 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strickland, J. D. andT. R. Parsons. 1972. A Practical Handbook of Seawater Analysis. Second Edition. Fisheries Research Board of Canada Bulletin, Ottawa, Canada:21–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Twilley, R. R. 1985. The exchange of organic carbon in basin mangrove forests in a southwest Florida estuary.Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 20:543–557.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Twilley, R. R., A. E. Lugo, andC. Patterson-Zucca. 1986. Litter production and turnover in basin forests in southwest Florida.Ecology 67:670–683.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warburton, K. 1978. Community structure, abundance and diversity of fish in a Mexican coastal lagoon system.Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science 7:497–519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yáñez-Arancibia, A. 1978. Taxonomy, Ecology and Structure of Fish Community in Coastal Lagoons with Ephemeral Inlets in the Pacific Coast of Mexico.Centro Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Spec. Publ. 2:1–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yáñez-Arancibia, A., F. Amezcua-Linares, andJ. W. Day. 1980. Fish community structure and function in Terminos Lagoon, a tropical estuary in the Southern Gulf of Mexico, p. 465–482.In V. Kennedy (ed.), Estuarine Perspectives. Academic Press Inc., New York.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto del Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Estación Mazatlán, Ap. postal 811, 82000, Mazatlán Sinaloa, México

    F. Flores-Verdugo, F. González-Farías & O. Ramírez-Flores

  2. Instituto del Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ap. Postal 70-305, 04510, México D.F., México

    F. Amezcua-Linares, A. Yáñez-Arancibia & M. Alvarez-Rubio

  3. Laboratorio de Ictiologia y Ecologia Estuarina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ap. Postal 70-305, 04510, México D.F., México

    M. Alvarez-Rubio

  4. Coastal Ecology Institute Center for Wetland Resources, Louisiana State University, 70803, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

    J. W. Day

Authors
  1. F. Flores-Verdugo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. González-Farías
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. O. Ramírez-Flores
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. Amezcua-Linares
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Yáñez-Arancibia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. Alvarez-Rubio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. J. W. Day
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Flores-Verdugo, F., González-Farías, F., Ramírez-Flores, O. et al. Mangrove ecology, aquatic primary productivity, and fish community dynamics in the Teacapán-Agua Brava Lagoon-Estuarine system (Mexican Pacific). Estuaries 13, 219–230 (1990). https://doi.org/10.2307/1351591

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1351591

Keywords

Search

Navigation