Distribución, composición y abundancia del ictioplancton en tres áreas marinas protegidas del Pacífico colombiano

Researchers identified distinct patterns in ichthyoplankton distribution, composition, and abundance across three Colombian Pacific marine protected areas: Sanquianga National Natural Park (coastal), Gorgona National Natural Park (intermediate), and Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary (oceanic). The study, conducted during November 2009, found that Sanquianga exhibited the highest larval fish abundance (1,553 larvae/10m²) with Engraulidae as the dominant family, while Gorgona showed greater taxonomic diversity (52 species across 29 families), and Malpelo recorded the lowest abundance (191 larvae/10m²). Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis confirmed clear differences in community composition among sites. The findings suggest that environmental factors, including elevated temperatures linked to an El Niño event, may have influenced larval fish distribution. Notably, Engraulidae eggs were detected for the first time at Malpelo, potentially indicating shifts in oceanic currents.

Beltrán-León, B. S., & Morales Osorio, Y. A. (2021). Distribución, composición y abundancia del ictioplancton en tres áreas marinas protegidas del Pacífico colombiano. Boletín de Investigaciones Marinas Y Costeras, 50(2), 31–52. https://doi.org/10.25268/bimc.invemar.2021.50.2.1062