Abstract

Hurricanes affect the 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 analyzed, how the juvenile fishes have been recuperated after “Wilma”, in the Yalahau lagoon system, located to the northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula. 4 nocturnal sampling throughout 10 months were made, in 8 sites of the system. For the capture of juvenile fish a bar network Renfro type with 1,0 mm mesh was used. A total of 396 juvenile fish were collected, distributed in 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 by effect of Wilma directly influenced the decrease in juvenile fishes species richness and abundance. Has been recognized, that in this systems the meadows are used as refuge, feeding zones and possible nursery areas. When the turtle grass meadows cover were increased in the system, the fishes have restock; however the same values recorded before hurricane Wilma have not been registered.

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