Avila-Bocanegra, L. E.

Carduno, E. B.

Lemos-Espinal, J. A.

Montoya-Ayala, R.

Smith, Geoffrey R.

Woolrich-Pina, G. A.

English

Denison University

Denison University Denison Digital Commons Denison Faculty Publications 2012 Temporal Variation in the Abundance of Poblana Alchichica in Near-shore Habitat of the High Elevation Lake, Lago De Alchichica, Puebla, Mexico G. A. Woolrich-Pina Geoffrey R. Smith J. A. Lemos-Espinal R. Montoya-Ayala L. E. Avila-Bocanegra See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.denison.edu/facultypubs  Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Woolrich-Pina, G. A., Smith, G. R., Lemos-Espinal, J. A., Montoya-Ayala, R., Avila-Bocanegra, L. E., & Carduno, E. B. (2012). TEMPORAL VARIATION IN THE ABUNDANCE OF POBLANA ALCHICHICA IN NEAR-SHORE HABITAT OF THE HIGH ELEVATION LAKE, LAGO DE ALCHICHICA, PUEBLA, MEXICO. Acta Biologica Colombiana, 17(1), 205-210. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Denison Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Denison Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of Denison Digital Commons. Authors G. A. Woolrich-Pina, Geoffrey R. Smith, J. A. Lemos-Espinal, R. Montoya-Ayala, L. E. Avila-Bocanegra, and E. B. Carduno This article is available at Denison Digital Commons: https://digitalcommons.denison.edu/facultypubs/57 TEMPORAL VARIATION IN THE ABUNDANCE OFPoblana alchichica IN NEAR-SHORE HABITATOF THE HIGH ELEVATION LAKE, LAGO DE ALCHICHICA,PUEBLA, MEXICOVariación temporal en la abundancia de Poblana alchichicaen un hábitat ribereño del lago de alta elevación,Lago de Alchichica, Puebla, MéxicoGUILLERMO A. WOOLRICH-PIÑA1,2, GEOFFREY R. SMITH3, JULIO A.LEMOS-ESPINAL2, RAYMUNDO MONTOYA-AYALA4, LUIS E. ÁVILA-BOCANEGRA1, EDUARDO BENAVIDES GARDUÑO11 Laboratorio de Paleontología y Geobiología, ESIA Ticomán “Cienciasde la Tierra”, IPN, Av. Ticomán # 600, San José Ticomán, Gustavo A.Madero, México D. F. 07340. 2 Laboratorio de Ecología, Unidad de Biología, Tecnología y Prototipos(FES-Iztacala, UNAM), Av. de los Barrios # 1, Los Reyes Iztacala,Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, MÉXICO 54090gwoolrich@ipn.mx, woolrichg@unam.mx3 Department of Biology, Denison University, Granville, Ohio 43023USA.4 Laboratorio de Cómputo, Unidad de Biología, Tecnología y Prototipos(FES-Iztacala, UNAM), Av. de los Barrios # 1, Los Reyes Iztacala,Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, MÉXICO 54090.Presentado 17 de enero de 2011, aceptado 9 de noviembre de 2011, correcciones 31 de enero de 2012.ABSTRACTThe distribution and abundance of organisms within a pond or lake can reflect theresult of a variety of factors. We examined the abundance of the endemic fish, Poblanaalchichica, in Lago de Alchichica, Puebla, Mexico, as well as how the abundance variedamong months. Dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity varied among months. Theabundance of Poblana alchichica peaked in December and February. For the months whenfish were observed, their abundances were positively related to dissolved oxygenconcentration and were generally not related to temperature. Our results provideevidence that there is substantial seasonal variation in the abundances of Poblanaalchichica and that within months, their distributions are likely driven by dissolved oxygenthan either temperature or salinity.Key words: Abundance, dissolved oxygen, Poblana alchichica, salinity, seasonal variation,temperature.Acta biol. Colomb., Vol. 17 n.º 1, 2012   205 - 210RESUMENLa distribución y abundancia de organismos dentro de un cuerpo de agua puede reflejarel resultado de variedad de factores. Examinamos la abundancia del pez endémico,Poblana alchichica, en el lago de Alchichica, Puebla, México, así como la variación de laabundancia entre los meses del estudio. El oxígeno disuelto, temperatura y salinidadvariaron entre los meses. La abundancia de Poblana alchichica fue mayor en diciembre yfebrero. Durante los meses en los que se observaron a los peces, su abundancia fuerelacionada positivamente con la concentración de oxígeno disuelto, y por lo general nopresentaron relación con la temperatura. Nuestros resultados muestran evidencia clarade variación estacional en la abundancia de Poblana alchichica, y cómo su distribución seasocia más probablemente con oxígeno disuelto que con temperatura o salinidad.Palabras clave: abundancia, oxígeno disuelto, Poblana alchichica, salinidad, variaciónestacional, temperaturaINTRODUCTIONThe distribution of organisms within a pond or lake can reflect the result of a variety offactors. For example, the abiotic or physical characteristics of the environment caninfluence where fish are found (e,g, Penczak et al., 2004; Sosa-López, 2007). In othercases, biotic factors such as macrophytes, predators, or competitors, can affect theirdistribution (e.g., Martin and Saiki, 2005; Rinke et al., 2009). Changes in these factorsmay also be responsible for explaining, or partially explaining, seasonal variations inthe distribution and abundance of fish (e.g., Mueller et al., 2000; McKenna et al., 2008).The status of endemic species Poblana alchichica (Atherinidae) is difficult to assess dueto habitat condition, intrinsic biological vulnerability and human impact (Alcocer et al.,2010). Acccording to these authors, Poblana alchichica fits the threatened species riskcategory (SEMARNAT, 2002) because of its reduced distribution area “and several riskfactors endanger the survival of this silverside by altering its habitat and by diminishingits population size”. For these reasons, Poblana alchichica should be changed to thecategory, in danger of extinction, because of factors like habitat destruction, detergentsdischarged into the littoral zone, and domestic wastewater discharged into the samearea around the lake. We examined the abundance of this endemic fish in the Lago deAlchichica, Puebla, Mexico. We also examined how the abundance varied amongmonths throughout the year. In particular, we were interested in determining the effectof dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity on the distribution and abundance ofthese fish. Both temperature and dissolved oxygen are frequently important in explainingthe distribution of fish, both within and among ponds, lakes, and rivers (e.g., Muelleret al., 2000; Järvalt et al., 2005; Murray and Innes, 2009). Other fish species continentalfrom central-south Mexico, without evolutionary link to Poblana alchichica, Poeciliopsisfasciata (Poecilidae) distribution is influenced by salinity and dissolved oxygen levels ina riverine system, the Río Salado (Woolrich-Piña et al., 2010).206 Nota breve - Variación temporal en la abundancia de Poblana alchichica en un hábitat ribereño del lago de altaelevación, Lago de Alchichica, Puebla, México. Woolrich-Piña, et ál.MATERIALS AND METHODSLago de Alchichica is a crater lake approximately 1.5 – 2 km in diameter in Puebla,Mexico (elevation = 2300 m a.s.l, Fig. 1). The vegetation surrounding the lake is thornyscrub. Poblana alchichica is a fish of medium size with prognathous mouth, dorsal finwith 5 flexible thorns, the second dorsal present a small thorn, anal extensive fin with13 to 16 radioes, pectoral 11 to 13 radioes. Scutelation complete 40 to 52 in alongitudinal series. Without pore in the lateral line (De Buen, 1945). Types serial numberGWP 00632, 00635, 00637 and 00638 deposited in the Laboratorio de EcologíaUBIPRO, FES Iztacala UNAM, were occupied for the identification of the fish studied.We conducted surveys of near-shore habitat in the Lago de Alchichica monthly fromSeptember 2009 to May 2010 to determine the distribution of Poblana alchichica. Wesurveyed 32 sites around the shoreline of the lake. Surveys took place from 1030 to1530 h. Each site consisted of an approximately 6 m long x 1 m wide section ofshoreline. We used a seine to collect Poblana alchichica from each site. At each site, wealso measured salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen using a DO/conductivitymeter (YSI Model 85 Handheld), ~ 2 m from the shoreline and at a depth of ~ 40 cm. The data followed a normal distribution, for this reason we used ANOVA to comparesalinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and abundance of Poblana alchichica amongmonths. We used separate multiple regressions for each month in which this fish waspresent to examine the relationship between dissolved oxygen, temperature andabundance of Poblana alchichica (salinity showed no variation within months and so wasnot included in these analyses). Figure 1.Geographic localization of Lago de Alchichica, Puebla, Mexico.RESULTSDissolved oxygen levels varied among months, with September having lower levels thanthe other months (Fig. 2A; F4,155 = 740.7, P < 0.0001). Temperature also significantlyActa biol. Colomb., Vol. 17 n.º 1, 2012   207varied among months, with a decrease in December (Fig. 2B; F4,155 = 900.9, P <0.0001). Salinity varied among months, with levels in May being higher than the othermonths (Fig. 2C; F4,155 = 43.1, P < 0.0001).The abundance of fish varied among months with the highest abundances in Decemberand February (Fig. 2D; F4,155 = 34.55, P < 0.0001). For all months in which fish wereobserved, their abundances were positively related to, dissolved oxygen concentrationand were not related to temperature, although in December there was a positiverelationship between fish abundance and temperature that approached significance(Table 1).Figure 2. Monthly variation in A) mean dissolved oxygen concentration, B) mean temperature, C) meansalinity, and D) mean abundance of Poblana alchichica in the Lago de Alchichica. Means are given ± 1 SE.R2 Overall P Intercept DO TemperatureFebruary 0.53 < 0.0001 80.0NS 7.93*** -6.49 NSMarch 0.17 0.065 0.59 NS 1.43* -0.37 NSMay 0.22 0.027 -34.0 NS 2.28** 1.28 NSDecember 0.26 0.013 -314.1 NS 10.5** 15.6 NS(0.08)Table 1. Results of multiple regressions of the abundance of Poblana alchichica in Lake Alchichica, Puebla,Mexico on dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) and temperature in the months for which we observedthese fish in our surveys. N = 32 in all cases. NS: not significant, *: P < 0.05, **: P < 0.01, ***: P <0.0001. DISCUSSIONThe lack of seasonal variation studies on Poblana alchichica or other atherinids fishes doesnot reveal which factors are related to its abundance trough time. This is the only study208 Nota breve - Variación temporal en la abundancia de Poblana alchichica en un hábitat ribereño del lago de altaelevación, Lago de Alchichica, Puebla, México. Woolrich-Piña, et ál.that has focused on the distribution and abundance of this species in relation to thebathymetry of Lago de Alchichica (Alcocer et al., 2010).Our results show that there is substantial seasonal variation in the abundance of Poblanaalchichica. Peaks in abundances occurred in December and February. In other salinesystem, the Río Salado in Puebla, Mexico, Poeciliopsis fasciata were only present fromNovember to February (Woolrich-Piña et al., 2010). In Sonora, Mexico, Poeciliopsisspp. densities are highest from April through June (Schenk and Vrijenhoek, 1986). Thus,Poecilopsis spp. populations appear to vary seasonally, perhaps in correlation withseasonal variation in precipitation or other climatic variables. Within months, the distribution of Poblana alchichica was related to dissolved oxygen,but generally not to temperature. This result is similar to the results of Woolrich-Piñaet al., 2010, in the Río Salado, where other fish, Poeciliopsis fasciata are found in sectionsof the river that have higher dissolved oxygen concentrations but sections of the riverwith and without fish do not differ in temperature. Some species of Poeciliopsis areknown to have a relatively good tolerance for high temperatures (Carveth et al., 2006)and so the temperature range found in the Lago de Achichilca may not be great enoughto influence their distribution, at least relative to dissolved oxygen, which appears tobe the driver of the distribution of Poeciliopsis fasciata and Poblana alchichica in both river(Woolrich-Piña et al., 2010) and lakes (this study).ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThis research was supported by Dirección General de Asuntos de Personal Académicothrough the project PAPIIT-IN221707 “Factores que determinan la distribución de losanfibios en las pozas asociadas al Río Salado, Puebla, México”; and for Facultad deEstudios Superiores Iztacala through the Programa de Apoyo a los Profesores de Carrera(PAPCA) 2007-2008 with the project “Caracterización de las pozas asociadas al RíoSalado (Puebla) y su influencia en la distribución de los anfibios: aspectos ecológicosy geográficos” and 2009-2010 “Efecto de la salinidad sobre las larvas de anuros quehabitan el Río Salado (Puebla)”. CONACyT granted the scholarship for this work andthe doctoral thesis to GAWP. The research was approved by the Denison UniversityInstitutional Animal Care and Use Committee (Protocol 07-004). BIBLIOGRAPHYALCOCER J, ARCE E, ZAMBRANO L, CHIAPPA-CARRARA X. Poblana alchichica:A threatened silverside species? Verh Internat Verein Limnol. 2010;30:1429-1432.CARVETH J, WIDMER A, BONAR S. Comparison of upper thermal tolerances ofnative and non-native fish species in Arizona. Trans Am Fisheries Soc. 2006;135:1433-1440.DE BUEN F. Investigaciones sobre la ictiología mexicana I. Atherinidae de aguascontinentales de México. An Inst Biol Univ Nac Autón Méx. 1945;16:475-532.JÄRVELT A., KRAUSE T, PALM A. Diel migration and spatial distribution of fishin a small stratified lake. Hydrobiol. 2005;547:197-203.MARTIN B, SAIKI M. Relation of desert pupfish abundance to selectedenvironmental variables in natural and manmade habitats in the Salton Sea basin.Environ Biol Fishes. 2005;73(1):97-107.Acta biol. Colomb., Vol. 17 n.º 1, 2012   209MCKENNA J, DAVIS B, FABRIZIO M, SAVINO J, TODD T, BUR M.Ichthyoplankton assemblages of coastal west-central Lake Erie and associated habitatcharacteristics. J. Great Lakes Res. 2008;34:755-769.MUELLER G, MARSH P, KNOWLES G, WOLTERS T. Distribution, movements,and habitat use of razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) in a Lower Colorado RiverReservoir, Arizona-Nevada. Western N Am Naturalist. 2000;60:180-187.MURRAY S, INNES J. Effects of environment on fish species distributions in theMackenzie River drainage basin of northeastern British Columbia, Canada. Ecol FreshwFish 2009;18:183-196.PENCZAK T, GALICKA W, GLOWACKI L, KOSZALINSKI H, KRUK A, et al. Fishassemblage changes relative to environmental factors and time in the Warta River,Poland, and its oxbow lakes. J Fish Biol. 2004;64(2):483-501.RINKE K, HUBER A, KEMPKE S, EDER M, WOLF T, et al. Lake-wide distributionsof temperature, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish in the pelagic zone of a largelake. Limnol Oceanogr. 2009;54:1306-1322. SCHENK R, VRIJENHOEK R. Spatial and temporal factors affecting coexistenceamong sexual and clonal forms of Poeciliopsis. Evolution. 1986;40:1060-1070.SEMARNAT. Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales. Norma OficialMexicana NOM–059–ECOL–2001, de protección ambiental, flora y fauna de especiesmexicanas. Diario Oficial; 2002.SOSA-LÓPEZ A, MOUILLOT D, RAMOS-MIRANDA J, FLORES-HERNANDEZD, CHI T. Fish species richness decreases with salinity in tropical coastal lagoons. JBiogeogr. 2007;34:52-61.WOOLRICH-PIÑA G, SMITH G, OLIVER-LÓPEZ L, BARBOSA-MORALES M,LEMOS-ESPINAL J. Factors influencing the distribution of Poeciliopsis fasciata along theRío Salado (Puebla, Mexico). J Freshw Ecol. 2010; 25:127-133.210 Nota breve - Variación temporal en la abundancia de Poblana alchichica en un hábitat ribereño del lago de altaelevación, Lago de Alchichica, Puebla, México. Woolrich-Piña, et ál.

Temporal Variation in the Abundance of Poblana Alchichica in Near-shore Habitat of the High Elevation Lake, Lago De Alchichica, Puebla, Mexico

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Temporal Variation in the Abundance of Poblana Alchichica in Near-shore Habitat of the High Elevation Lake, Lago De Alchichica, Puebla, Mexico

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