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Email the author (Login required) Population dynamics of Penilia avirostris and Pseudevadne tergestina (Diplostraca) in the Veracruz Reef System National Park, southwest Gulf of Mexico
Submited: 2023-11-18 03:18:07 | Published: 2024-06-30 20:15:53
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3856/vol52-issue3-fulltext-3184
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the ecology considering distribution, abundance, population structure, and fecundity of the marine diplostraceans Penilia avirostris and Pseudevadne tergestina in the Veracruz Reef System National Park, southwest Gulf of Mexico. Surface samples were collected with a 300 μm mesh plankton net at 26 sampling sites in June, August, October (2011), May (2012) and June (2013). Temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were measured in situ. The temperature range was 26.53 ± 0.41 and 29.29 ± 0.27°C, salinity between 33.43 ± 0.49 and 35.91 ± 0.09, and dissolved oxygen between 2.92 ± 0.08 and 6.56 ± 0.08 mg L-1. P. avirostris and P. tergestina presented the highest density, with 2200 ind 100 m-3 in June and 5980 ind 100 m-3 in October, respectively. Four stages were determined in P. avirostris. In P. tergestina, there were five instars, with males in August and October. The size of parthenogenic females of P. avirostris was 773.4 ± 20.08 μm. In P. tergestina, it was 637.6 ± 49.28 μm. The number of embryos in P. avirostris was 2 to 7, and in P. tergestina, 2 to 8 embryos. The correlations between body length and the number of embryos in both species were statistically significant under the potential model (r > 0.68 for both species, P < 0.001). The transects with the highest abundance were the northern and the southern zones because they are far from the influence of the Jamapa River. The density of these crustaceans is related to optimal temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen values. The low proportions obtained from gamogenic individuals of P. avirostris and P. tergestina suggest that in tropical and subtropical regions, gamogenesis is not crucial for the life cycle of these organisms.
