Abstract

Hurricanes affect the shallow coastal lagoons, modifying their habitat and transforming the distribution, abundance, and richness of the organisms present in these systems. The objective of the present work was to analyze how the juvenile fishes have recuperated after hurricane “Wilma”, in the Yalahau lagoon system, located to the northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Four nocturnal samplings throughout 10 months were made, in eight sites of the system. For the capture of juvenile fish, a network Renfro type with 1,0 mm mesh was used. A total of 396 juvenile fish were collected, distributed among 39 species. Comparing the data collected with a previous study, a considerable diminution of the species richness from 85 to 39, as well as of the monthly average abundance of 608 to 99 fish was identified, because of habitat modifications. With the passage of time a slight increase in the richness, abundance and diversity was observed, however it was not significant. According to the species accumulation curve, the inventory in the lagoon is incomplete obtaining a potential number of 85 species, below previous inventories (119). The disappearance and/or diminution of the turtle grass meadows due to hurricane Wilma directly influenced the decrease in juvenile fishes species richness, diversity, and abundance. It is now recognized that these systems the seagrass meadows serve as refuges, feeding zones, and possibly nursery areas. As the turtle grass meadows recovered in the system, the fishes stocks have re-established; however, the abundance and diversity recorded before hurricane Wilma have not been realized.

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