The temporal and spatial variability of nursery habitats for fishes in macrotidal mangrove systems of Colombia and Brazil

This thesis highlight (1) the stability in time and across regions of tidal- and diel-related patterns of intertidal mangrove fish distribution in neotropical macrotidal areas, (2) the major effect that specific environmental conditions (e.g. rainfall regime) and seascape settings can produce in local fish community structure, (3) the varying importance that distinctive tropical intertidal habitats can have for coastal fishes, and (4) the importance that historical biogeography (of freshwater and marine fishes) can have in explaining the current patterns of distribution of mangrove fish faunas in estuarine areas of the Neotropics. Taking these four aspects into consideration will benefit our global understanding of the role of mangroves as important habitats for fishes and will aid in the development of sound comparative studies between mangrove areas of the world. Ultimately, the search for generality in patterns and processes explaining the organization of mangrove fish communities will increase our ability to better manage mangrove-associated fisherie

The temporal and spatial variability of nursery habitats for fishes in macrotidal mangrove systems of Colombia and Brazil

This thesis highlight (1) the stability in time and across regions of tidal- and diel-related patterns of intertidal mangrove fish distribution in neotropical macrotidal areas, (2) the major effect that specific environmental conditions (e.g. rainfall regime) and seascape settings can produce in local fish community structure, (3) the varying importance that distinctive tropical intertidal habitats can have for coastal fishes, and (4) the importance that historical biogeography (of freshwater and marine fishes) can have in explaining the current patterns of distribution of mangrove fish faunas in estuarine areas of the Neotropics. Taking these four aspects into consideration will benefit our global understanding of the role of mangroves as important habitats for fishes and will aid in the development of sound comparative studies between mangrove areas of the world. Ultimately, the search for generality in patterns and processes explaining the organization of mangrove fish communities will increase our ability to better manage mangrove-associated fisherie

Peces marinos de los ordenes Gadiformes, Ophidiiformes y Lophiiformes en aguas colombianas del Pacífico oriental tropical

This document compiles information and records from different reference museum holdings, from around the world, of species of Gadiforms, Ophidiiforms and Lophiiforms from Colombian waters of the Pacific. Also included are records of species of these groups from adjacent waters. The latter records could indicate biogeographic connectivity – i.e. that the same species also occur in Colombian waters, but due to inadequate sampling efforts, they have not yet been collected.En el presente documento se recopila información y registros de colecciones de referencia de diferentes museos del mundo de las especies de Ophidiiformes, Gadiformes, and Lophiiformes de aguas colombianas del Pacífico. También se incluyen registros de colección de especies de estos grupos en aguas adyacentes. Estos últimos podrían indicar conectividad biogeográfica – i.e., que la misma especie ocurra también en aguas colombianas, pero que debido a un insuficiente esfuerzo de muestreo no ha sido colectada a la fecha

Peces marinos de los órdenes Stomiiformes, Aulopiformes y Myctophiformes en aguas colombianas del Pacífico oriental tropical

These expeditions have explored portions of the ocean below 200 m, making knowledge accessible about deepsea life that has not been recorded by any national agency until date. Only a few studies of Colombian ichthyologists have reported on species belonging to these orders (Sterling 1976, Rubio 1987, Beltrán-León & Rubio 1994). Rubio (1987), for example, compiled information about the distribution of many of the deep-sea fish species of the Colombian Pacific, many of them without a collection register in Colombian waters. Beltrán-León & Rios (2000) documented the early stages of many groups of deep-sea fishes in the Pacific, including several of the three orders examined in this paper.Estas expediciones han explorado porciones del océano por debajo de los 200 m, haciendo accesible el conocimiento de la vida en estas zonas que no ha sido obtenido por ninguna agencia nacional hasta la fecha. Solo algunos estudios a cargo de ictiólogos nacionales han reportado ocasionalmente especies pertenecientes a estos ordenes (Sterling 1976, Rubio1987, Beltrán-León & Rubio 1994). Por ejemplo, Rubio (1987) recopiló información sobre la distribución de muchas especies de peces de profundidad del Pacífico colombiano, muchas de ellas sin un registro de colección en aguas colombianas. Beltrán-León & Ríos (2000) documentaron los estadios larvales de una gran cantidad de grupos de zonas profundas, incluyendo muchas de las especies examinadas en el presente documento

Peces marinos y estuarinos de Bahía Málaga, Valle del Cauca, Pacífico colombiano

Malaga Bay, located within the Tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean, between 3°56’ – 4°05’ N and 77°19’ – 77° 21’W, comprises the central zone of the colombian Pacific Ocean, where the continental shelf portion is greater than in other areas. The bay has an average depth of 12- 15 m, and an average area of 126 km2. Oceanographic and climatic conditions of the area make it a typically estuarine zone of the Colombian Pacific (Cantera et al. 1999). The principal habitats within the bay include sandy, rocky and muddy beaches, cliffs and extended mangrove forests (Cantera et al. 1999); the diversity of these habitats leads to a diverse population of biological groups, including fish.Bahía Málaga, ubicada dentro del Pacífico Oriental Tropical, entre los 3°56’ – 4°05’ N y los 77°19’ – 77°21’W, comprende la zona central de la costa pacífica colombiana en donde la plataforma continental se extiende un poco más de lo normal en esta región. La profundidad promedio es de 12 a 15 m y tiene un área aproximada de 126 km2. Las características oceanográficas y climatológicas de Bahía Málaga permiten reconocerla como una zona típicamente estuarina del Pacífico colombiano (Cantera et al. 1999). Los principales hábitats que se encuentran en la bahía son playas arenosas, rocosas y fangosas; acantilados; y extensos bosques de manglar (Cantera et al. 1999) y la diversidad de esos paisajes contribuye a la presencia de distintos grupos biológicos, incluyendo los peces

Die zeitliche und räumliche Variabilität von Habitaten für Fische in makrotidalen Mangrovensystemen in Kolumbien und Brasilien

This thesis highlight (1) the stability in time and across regions of tidal- and diel-related patterns of intertidal mangrove fish distribution in neotropical macrotidal areas, (2) the major effect that specific environmental conditions (e.g. rainfall regime) and seascape settings can produce in local fish community structure, (3) the varying importance that distinctive tropical intertidal habitats can have for coastal fishes, and (4) the importance that historical biogeography (of freshwater and marine fishes) can have in explaining the current patterns of distribution of mangrove fish faunas in estuarine areas of the Neotropics. Taking these four aspects into consideration will benefit our global understanding of the role of mangroves as important habitats for fishes and will aid in the development of sound comparative studies between mangrove areas of the world. Ultimately, the search for generality in patterns and processes explaining the organization of mangrove fish communities will increase our ability to better manage mangrove-associated fisherie

Peces marinos de los ordenes Gadiformes, Ophidiiformes y Lophiiformes en aguas colombianas del Pacífico oriental tropical

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Mariculture-induced introduction of cobia Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766), a large predatory fish, in the Tropical Eastern Pacific

The cobia Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766) is a highly valued fish by aquaculture producers and anglers. In spite of its wide-ranging distribution in tropical and subtropical seas, this species was absent in the Tropical Eastern Pacific until recently. In 2013 the government of Ecuador allowed the cultivation of cobia in offshore cages and in April 2015 three cages were deployed in Ecuadorian waters of the Pacific Ocean (Jaramijó, Manabí). Cobias escaped from one of these cages in August 2015 and we present the first report of R. canadum in the Colombian Pacific coast, ca. 600 km from the Ecuadorian escape locality. This is the first report of its occurrence for the entire Tropical Eastern Pacific biogeographical region. Given its predatory nature, it is to investigate the potential ecological and socio-economic consequences of the introduction of the cobia in the region

Risks to eastern Pacific marine ecosystems from sea-cage mariculture of alien Cobia

Mariculture of Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) has become popular in various regions of the world due to the species’ hardiness, fast growth and high market value. Despite not being native to the Eastern Pacific, Cobia was introduced for offshore sea-cage aquaculture in Ecuador in 2015, with the first Cobia escape occurring there several months after that culture effort began. Here, we report on new sightings of mature Cobia in the Colombian Pacific coast in 2017 with evidence that this alien fish is able to integrate into food webs and reproduce in the region. Using a decision-support tool developed for aquatic species (Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit, AS-ISK), we screened Cobia to identify its potential of becoming invasive in the tropical eastern Pacific (TEP). Based on the present state of knowledge, AS-ISK results indicated that Cobia has a medium to high risk of becoming invasive in this region. These results indicate that Cobia sea-cage mariculture in the TEP is not advisable. Carangid fishes native to the TEP that are already used in sea-cage aquaculture elsewhere provide an alternative to Cobia mariculture