The composition of the rockpool fish community of El Pital was described. A total of 29 rockpools with volumes ranging from 0.12 to 0.83 m3 were sampled from March to September 2009 using dip nets and clove oil anesthetic solution. A total of 106 fishes belonging to 19 species were captured. The most abundant species were Bathygobius ramosus, Abudefduf concolor, Mugil curema and Mugil hospes, representing 66% of all fishes collected. Resident fish comprised 32%, transients comprised 60%, and accidental visitors comprised 8%. High percentages of juvenile fish were recorded (87%), showing that the intertidal zone may act as an important nursery site for fish.

The ichthyology collection at the Natural History Museum of El Salvador (MUHNES) was established in 1970. Herein, we provide the first quantitative and qualitative description of the collection; and the first public record of the specimens and taxa therein represented. The MUHNES fish collection is the largest and most important of El Salvador, hosting 3791 specimens in 1005 lots representing 26 orders, 75 families, 159 genera and 248 species from both marine and freshwater environments, including larval, juvenile and mainly adult specimens. MUHNES specimens include 39% of the 587 species reported in the official national checklist of fishes of El Salvador, and support the inclusion of 47 additional species for a new total of 634. Furthermore, MUHNES specimens support (1) the occurrence of Cathorops fuerthii along the coast of El Salvador, extending its distribution from northern Costa Rica; (2) the occurrence of Atherinella starksi in El Salvador, reducing a gap for records between Nicaragua and México and (3) the extension in the distribution range of Profundulus kreiseri to Morazán, El Salvador. This study represents an advance on the understanding of diversity and distribution of the national ichthyofauna.

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Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 89 (2018): 854 -864 Ecology Your place, my place…, distribution of Agonostomus monticola and Sicydium multipunctatum in the Acahuapa Watershed Tu lugar, mi lugar…, distribución de Agonostomus monticola y Sicydium multipunctatum en la cuenca del AcahuapaAbstract Diadromous fish undergo habitat shifts over their life cycles, dwelling between different environments. In the Acahuapa River watershed, the distribution, abundance, and length structure of A. monticola and S. multipunctatum were assessed in its tributary rivers and main channel for 1 year. Fishes were captured using electrofishing devices and nets. Environmental variables, habitat traits, and land use around the sampling points were taken into consideration. A total of 222 A. monticola and 183 S. multipunctatum were recorded during the sampled year. Their distribution was restricted to 8 of the 17 sampling points. Both species co-occurred at 7 of 8 sites, all at elevations between 19 and 325 m asl. Both species were more abundant in lower parts of the watershed and in the tributary rivers than in the main channel. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, river width and depth, current speed, substrata dominated by rocks and logs, and surroundings of forest and small-scale agriculture favor the presence of these fishes. The smaller individuals of A. monticola occurred at lower elevations of the watershed but fish length differences were not present at the main channel or at the tributaries. For S. multipunctatum, the larger fish were captured also at low elevations and at the main channel of the Acahuapa River watershed. ResumenLos peces diádromos cambian de hábitat durante su ciclo de vida ocupando ambientes diferentes. En la cuenca del río Acahuapa, la distribución, abundancia y estructura de tallas de A. monticola y S. multipunctatum fueron evaluadas en sus ríos tributarios y en el canal principal durante 1 año. Los peces fueron capturados utilizando dispositivos de electropesca y trasmallos. Las variables ambientales, características del hábitat y el uso de suelo en los puntos de muestreo fueron cuantificados. Un total de 222 ejemplares de A. monticola y 183 de S. multipunctatum fueron registrados durante el año de muestreo. Su distribución estuvo restringida a 8 de los 17 sitios de muestreo coincidiendo en 7 de ellos, en alturas entre 19 y 325 m snm. Ambas especies fueron más abundantes en las partes bajas de la cuenca y en los ríos tributarios. La temperatura del agua, oxígeno disuelto, ancho y profundidad del río, velocidad de la corriente y sustrato dominado por rocas, troncos y rodeado por bosque o agricultura a pequeña escala favorecen la presencia de estos peces. Los peces de menor tamaño de A. monticola se encontraron en la parte baja de la cuenca sin importar si este es un río tributario o el canal principal. Peces de S. multipunctatum de mayor tamaño se capturaron S. González-Murcia, F.S. Álvarez / Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 89 (2018): 854 -864 855 https://doi.

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Is this rock pool suitable habitat? Fish diversity in intertidal rock pools of El Zonte,

Introduction: The Cyprinodontiformes are a group of secondary freshwater fishes widely distributed in El Salvador. Currently, many species of this group are usually incorrectly identified for lack of adequate tools. Additionally, their taxonomy and distribution have changed in recent years. Objective: To provide updated information about the taxonomy and distribution of El Salvador Cyprinodontiformes through identification keys, distribution notes, and general descriptions for all species. Methods: We carried out an extensive review of the literature, electronic databases, and museum specimens to generate a list of valid species present in El Salvador. Results: Eleven species in three families are confirmed: Profundulidae (two species), Anablepidae (one species), and Poeciliidae (eight species). We also include distribution data, both vertical and by main basins, and an illustrated guide. Conclusions: There are 11 species of Cyprinodontiformes in El Salvador and they can be found and identified with this article.

Substratum preferences and contact interactions among sessile organisms can be a major determinant of biotic gradients in the structure of benthic communities on coral reefs. Sponges are a substantial component of these communities, but their substratum requirements and interactions with other benthic taxa are poorly understood. Here, we quantified sponge substratum preferences and interactions from 838 randomly selected photo-quadrats across different depths (5, 10 and 15 m), exposure (sheltered and exposed), and substratum topography (horizontal, inclined and vertical surfaces) on coastal coral reefs in Kimbe Bay. A high proportion (55%) of sponge colonies were associated with dead coral, unconsolidated coral rubble (7%) and calcium carbonate rock (CaCO3 rock) (7%), even though they represented only 10%, 4% and 1% of the available substratum, respectively. Sponges interacted most frequently with algae (~ 34%), corals (~ 30%) and crustose coralline algae (CCA ~ 19%) that represented ~ 46%, ~ 18% and ~ 14% of the substratum cover, respectively. The microhabitat preferences of sponges and frequency of interactions with other taxa were mostly consistent across various exposure, depth and substratum topography conditions. Most interactions appeared to be “stand-offs” (71%) which are interactions with no clear winner or loser. However, when overgrowth occurred, sponges were usually winners, overgrowing corals (92%), CCA (81%) and macroalgae (65%). Three sponge species Dysidea sp1, Lamellodysidea cf. chlorea and Lamellodysidea chlorea accounted for 51% to 96% of the overgrowth of sponges over algae, corals and CCA, but there was no one species found to always win or lose. Our results suggest that sponges avoid other biological substrata by preferentially settling on dead coral, coral rubble and CaCO3 rock, but when they do come into contact with algae and corals, they frequently overgrow their spacial competitors.