Checklist of the macro-fauna recruited onto suspended artificial substrate in Bahía Concepción, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Abstract

Human settlements along the marine coastlines have brought with them anthropic pressures that affect thenatural biota. To decrease the pressures caused by fisheries in Baja California Sur, the regional fisheries researchcenter has begun marine farming of the spotted rose snapper (Lutjanus guttatus) in Bahía Concepcion. The placementof farming materials in the marine environment also acts as favorable substrate for the colonization and recruitmentof many unwanted marine organisms. To evaluate the seasonal change of fauna recruiting onto farming materials,this study used the help of local fishermen to possibly expand fish farming in Bahía Concepcion. The biofoulingassemblage that is later listed was obtained by submerging 3 modules of 4 oyster boxes each for a month; then allorganisms were identified and counted, the modules were cleaned, and submerged again for the following month. Thismethodology was repeated during a year-round cycle, and by this means a total of 75 species were identified, out ofwhich 14% had expanded their distribution. Moreover, a 42% Jaccard similarity was registered between the warm andcold season, which demonstrates a noticeable seasonal change in the biofouling assemblages.