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<p>Dominant fish populations in coastal lagoons significantly influence the ecological functioning of these ecosystems. Therefore, understanding their health through indicators such as size structure, length-weight relationship (LWR) parameters, and condition factors (K, Kn) is essential. The objective of this study was to examine LWRs and condition factors for seven dominant fish species in El Soldado, a coastal lagoon designated as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Gulf of California. The species were: (Spotted Sand Bass) <i>Paralabrax maculatofasciatus</i>, (Amarillo Snapper) <i>Lutjanus argentiventris</i>, (Bronzestriped Grunt) <i>Orthopristis reddingi</i>, (Round Stingray) <i>Urobatis maculatus</i>, (Cortez Stingray) <i>U. halleri</i>, (Pacific Flagfin Mojarra) <i>Eucinostomus currani</i>, and (Pacific Spotfin Mojarra) <i>E. dowii</i>. LWR analyses showed that El Soldado is an important habitat for juvenile Sea Basses, Snappers, Grunts, and Mojarras, whose adults are commercially valuable, while Round Stingrays, which are also commercial, use the lagoon primarily as adults. The <i>b</i> values for the seven species mostly reflected their characteristic growth type (isometric) and were consistent with those estimated in other coastal environments of the Gulf of California and the Mexican Pacific. The values of the condition factors K and Kn indicated that the populations of the seven species are healthy and reflect a good environmental condition within the El Soldado MPA. This evidence supports that dominant fish species may hold a key role as indicators of ecosystem health. In this context, this study represents the first assessment of its kind in the MPA El Soldado, providing initial evidence on the potential use of these species. Although condition factors suggest a healthy state of the analyzed species, it is acknowledged that additional population parameters and their interannual variations must be incorporated. These aspects highlight the need for long-term monitoring to understand population dynamics and, in turn, obtain a more accurate reflection of the ecosystem’s health.</p>

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Examining the Condition of Dominant Fish Populations in a Marine Protected Area in the Gulf of California

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月18日

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  • Nathaly Salas-Mejía,
  • Jesús Guadalupe Padilla-Serrato,
  • Eduardo Francisco Balart,
  • Hem Nalini Morzaria-Luna,
  • Thelma Michelle Ruiz-Ruiz,
  • José Alfredo Arreola-Lizárraga

摘要

Dominant fish populations in coastal lagoons significantly influence the ecological functioning of these ecosystems. Therefore, understanding their health through indicators such as size structure, length-weight relationship (LWR) parameters, and condition factors (K, Kn) is essential. The objective of this study was to examine LWRs and condition factors for seven dominant fish species in El Soldado, a coastal lagoon designated as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Gulf of California. The species were: (Spotted Sand Bass) Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, (Amarillo Snapper) Lutjanus argentiventris, (Bronzestriped Grunt) Orthopristis reddingi, (Round Stingray) Urobatis maculatus, (Cortez Stingray) U. halleri, (Pacific Flagfin Mojarra) Eucinostomus currani, and (Pacific Spotfin Mojarra) E. dowii. LWR analyses showed that El Soldado is an important habitat for juvenile Sea Basses, Snappers, Grunts, and Mojarras, whose adults are commercially valuable, while Round Stingrays, which are also commercial, use the lagoon primarily as adults. The b values for the seven species mostly reflected their characteristic growth type (isometric) and were consistent with those estimated in other coastal environments of the Gulf of California and the Mexican Pacific. The values of the condition factors K and Kn indicated that the populations of the seven species are healthy and reflect a good environmental condition within the El Soldado MPA. This evidence supports that dominant fish species may hold a key role as indicators of ecosystem health. In this context, this study represents the first assessment of its kind in the MPA El Soldado, providing initial evidence on the potential use of these species. Although condition factors suggest a healthy state of the analyzed species, it is acknowledged that additional population parameters and their interannual variations must be incorporated. These aspects highlight the need for long-term monitoring to understand population dynamics and, in turn, obtain a more accurate reflection of the ecosystem’s health.