Ictioplancton en la zona costera del Pacífico colombiano durante la fase terminal de El Niño 2006-2007

Abstract

In this research a combination of univariate index, descriptive analysis and multivariate techniques were carried out in order to describe the icthyoplankton taxonomic composition, community structure, spatial pattern of distribution in the coastal region of Colombia Pacific (Influence zone of the Colombian Current), considering simultaneously the grade with the environmental factors temperature, salinity and chlorophyll-a during the terminal phase of ENSO 2006-2007. 543 fish larvae were collected, belonging to 87 species of 37 families. The most abundant families were Myctophidae (26%) and Bregmacerotidae (17%). The spatial distribution of icthyoplankton and abiotic parameter demonstrate a high biotic and abiotic homogeneity in the study zone. However, the results of this research suggest that El Niño 2006-2007 drastically affect the icthyoplankton structure and abundance in the coastal zone of Colombian Pacific ocean. Furthermore, confirm that the Colombia Current is the main agent for the icthyoplankton distribution in this region.