Diagnóstico pesquero de Chiton articulatus (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) en Acapulco, México

Abstract

Abstract.-Chitons are marine mollusks morphologically composed of a large muscular foot which allows them to conform to irregular surfaces. Few species as Chiton articulatus are used for human consumption. During April, July and December of 2009and 2011, an evaluation was conducted on C. articulatus at Acapulco, Mexico. Number, size and weight of individuals caught in fishing were recorded. Simultaneously, during October and December 2009, February and April 2010, field work was carried at 4 locations to record the amount, size and weight of individuals caught for biometric analysis of the total length versus foot length and foot weight. Two models were obtained to estimate the total length. There were 4,007 C. articulatus feet acquired; the linear model estimated lengths from 39.75 to 48.27 mm; and the potential model calculated lengths from 43.09 to 54.97 mm. On a time scale, both estimates showed a trend of decreasing the annual arithmetic mean captured. The caught of C. articulatus in Acapulco can be considered as coastal artisanal fisheries. Furthermore, the variations in amount and sizes of the specimens were related to capture and weather season. Unregulated fishing effort may impact the population dynamics affecting the community structure and dynamics on the rocky shore. Key words: Chiton articulatus, Polyplacophora, Acapulco, fisheryResumen.-Los quitones son moluscos marinos con un gran pie muscular que les permite amoldarse a superficies irregulares. Algunas especies como Chiton articulatus, se utilizan para el consumo humano. Durante abril, julio y diciembre de 2009, 2010 y 2011, se realizó un diagnóstico de su pesca en Acapulco, México. Se registró la abundancia total de captura, tallas y pesos de ejemplares capturados en pesca artesanal. En octubre y diciembre 2009 así como febrero y abril 2010, se realizaron muestreos biológicos de la especie para analizar relaciones biométricas de la longitud total con la longitud y peso del pie. Se obtuvieron dos modelos para estimar la longitud total. Se registraron 4.007 pies de la especie. Con el modelo lineal se estimaron longitudes del organismo entre 39,75 y 48,27 mm; con el modelo potencial se encontraron entre 43,09 y 54,97 mm. En una escala de tiempo, ambas estimaciones presentaron una tendencia de disminución anual del promedio de longitud. La pesca de C. articulatus puede considerarse como artesanal. La cantidad y tallas de captura se relacionaron con la temporada climática. Ante la falta de una estrategia de manejo sostenido del recurso, la pesca no regulada puede generar cambios poblacionales de la especie y afectar la estructura y dinámica de la comunidad de organismos intermareales.

Discovery of protein-based natural hydrogel from the girdle of the ‘sea cockroach’ Chiton articulatus (Chitonida: Chitonidae)

“…The edible chiton, Chiton articulatus , known locally as the ‘sea cockroach’ or ‘dog’s tongue’, is a large species, occurring in high densities on the rocky intertidal splash zone along the Mexican Tropical Pacific ( Bullock, 1988 ; Reyes-Gómez, 2004 ). It occurs most commonly in sites where animals are exposed to strong wave action, although their distribution is likely affected by human fishing efforts, which may reduce abundances in more easily accessible areas ( García-Ibáñez et al, 2013 ; Holguin-Quiñones & Michel-Morfín, 2002 ).…”

Abundancia y morfometría de los quitones (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) asociados a rompeolas en Coveñas, Sucre-Colombia

“…Recientemente se ha registrado el uso de poliplacóforos como recurso alimenticio en algunas poblaciones costeras (Flores-Campaña et al, 2007;Flores-Campaña et al, 2012;Ávila-Poveda 2013) ya sea para consumo humano o como carnada para la captura de peces (García-Ibáñez et al, 2013). Además, se ha confirmado que la carne de los quitones presenta un buen aporte de minerales esenciales para el bienestar del cuerpo humano; por lo tanto, su ingesta puede jugar un papel importante en la salud de las personas (Melo et al, 2011).…”

Large-scale project ‘Chiton of the Mexican Tropical Pacific’: Chiton articulatus (Mollusca: Polyplacophora)

“…Chitons (Polyplacophora) are marine molluscs that mostly inhabit rocky intertidal shores. Chitons have been harvested and used since ancient times as subsistence food by native peoples from coastal areas (Kyle et al 1997, Salomon et al 2007, Turner and Turner 2007, as bait for other fisheries or for use in traditional medicine (Herbert et al 2003), in general, at several islands from the Caribbean, Southeast Asia (Matthews 1992), along the Pacific coasts of North and South America (Ricketts et al 1985, Osorio-Ruiz 2002, Herrera et al 2003, Turner and Turner 2007 and South Africa (Kyle et al 1997, Herbert et al 2003.…”

“…Changes in human behaviour and the exploitation of coastal organisms (Salomon et al 2007, García-Ibáñez et al 2013, Olea-de-la-Cruz et al 2013 are turning the harvest of chitons into a real emergent fishery.…”

“…Although, in the Mexican waters (Pacific and Atlantic), respectively, there are thirty-eight species (Reyes-Gomez 2003) and twenty-one species of chitons (Reyes-Gómez et al 2017), reported so far, historically, Chiton articulatus (Fig. 1) is the largest species (size), most abundant (amount) and with most frequency (density over time) (Bullock 1988, Ferreira 1983, Holguin-Quiñones and Michel-Morfin 2002, whose characteristics have allowed it to support a commercial harvest, such small-scale fishery that is growing at an accelerated rate towards a commercial harvest (García-Ibáñez et al 2013, Olea-de-la-Cruz et al 2013.…”