Abstract

Yucatan coast is characterized for its biodiversity and habitat heterogeneity. Four Biospheres Reserves designation indicates its value in terms of species richness. In this study we evaluate the influence of Reserves to the protection of fish species. We address two questions: How and why fish assemblages vary among protected areas with not and what local habitat features best explain the variation? We sampled in 40 localities located in coastal systems protected (Celestun, Bocas de Dzilam and Rio Lagartos) and a system subject to anthropogenic uses (Chelem Lagoon). A total of 4355 individuals, comprising 56 fish species (28 families), were collected using a beach seine. In terms of species number per family, Syngnathidae (5 species) was the most diverse, followed by Sciaenidae and Gerreidae (four species). Even though, high species richness was recorded in Chelem lagoon (29), the highest density and biomass values were significantly greater in protected areas. Cluster and ordination analysis demonstrated that fish assemblage structures were markedly different between protected and not protected systems. The results stand out the importance of connectivity between natural Reserves for the protection and maintaining of biodiversity of not protected ecosystems.

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