Chaetognatha in the Bahía Magdalena lagoon complex, Baja California Sur, México: Species Composition and assemblages

Abstract

The chaetognaths from 187 zooplankton samples collected from the Bahía Magdalena lagoon complex, Baja California Sur, México during March, June, July, August, September, November, and December 1982 were studied. Twelve species belonging to two genera were identified. Sagitta euneritica and S. enflata were the most abundant and most frequent species with maximum abundance in July (40,000 org/100 m3 and 6100 org/100 m3 respectively). Sagitta pacifica, S. regularis and S. pseudoserratodentata were stenothermic (21 to 25oC), whereas the rest of the species were eurythermic (15.5 to 29.5oC). Sagitta euneritica contributed considerably to the zooplanktonic biomass, increasing the density in particular in Bahía Almejas. The analysis of the species assemblages (Morisita index) showed that S. pacifica and S. regularis interact more frequently in August when there is a change of the water masses that converge in this zone during summer, when the California Countercurrent predominates. The composition of taxa during winter is characterized by the dominance of S. euneritica. Entering the warm period, an abrupt change occurs in taxa composition of the three zones studied: channels, Bahía Magdalena, and Bahía Almejas. The amplitude and distribution of S. peruviana was influenced possibility by the oceanographic conditions of ENSO 1982.