Diversidad taxonómica alfa y beta del ensamblaje de peces continentales de la cuenca del río Ameca, México

Abstract

Abstract Alpha and beta diversity of the fish assemblage of the Ameca River basin were evaluated incorporating their taxonomic structure. Records from species databases, scientific literature, and field data were collected. Taxonomic distinctness indexes were used to assess the fish assemblage and the Beta diversity was determined through a species and taxonnomic dissimilarity index. The most updated taxonomic list for the region, conformed by 74 species, is presented, including new records, translocated and introduced species and expansion of distributions ranges. Spatial discrepancies between ichthyofaunal richness and taxonomic diversity were found, as richness was highest in the upper basin, whereas taxonomic diversity showed the opposite trend. Likewise, we detected differences in the composition of the assemblages between the upper and lower basins, and these differences occurred at both the species and supra-specific taxonomic levels, highlighting the importance of maintaining river connectivity in the region. The approach of species and higher taxa used in this study provided comprehensive information regarding fish assemblages, which would enable to prioritize conservation areas from an integrative perspective.