Characterizing the Potential Habitat of Ichthyoplankton in the Gulf of
Mexico for Species with Contrasting Life Histories
Abstract
Potential habitat models have become an increasingly used method for
characterizing fish larval habitat. Describing the potential habitat of
fish larvae can yield insight into distribution patterns over temporal
and spatial scales that cannot be easily characterized w discrete
ichthyoplankton surveys, as well as setting a reference against which to
assess the impact of anthropogenic and natural disturbances. Potential
habitats are defined based on larval distribution and the environmental
conditions that are suitable for development and survival. In the
central Gulf of México (GoM), mesoscale circulation is dominated by the
Loop Current (LC), LC-derived anticyclonic eddies that are transported
westward and cyclonic eddies; these features influence productivity and
water column characteristics and hence larval habitat. A semi-permanent
cyclonic eddy in the Bay of Campeche (southern GoM) and other processes
such as regional upwelling and offshore transport can also influence
larval potential habitat. Between 2011-2017 nine oceanographic cruises
covering the Mexican EEZ were conducted and fish larvae were collected
using a bongo net sampler. Five taxa with different life history
strategies, abundance and distribution patterns, spawning seasonality,
and of varying economic importance were selected for the
characterization of their potential habitat (Auxis spp., Benthosema
suborbitale, Bregmaceros atlanticus, Caranx crysos and Cubiceps
pauciradiatus). Their potential habitat will be characterized using
generalized additive models correlating larval distribution with
environmental parameters derived from in situ CTD and satellite-based
measurements. The results of this study will yield insight into the
potential larval habitat of representative fish species throughout the
central and southern Gulf of Mexico.