Distribution of Penaeid Shrimp Larvae and Postlarvae in the Upper Gulf of California

Abstract

This study describes the distribution pattern of penaeid shrimp larvae and postlarvae in the Upper Gulf of California (UGC) to confirm the trajectories of early stage penaeid shrimp seeking nursery areas, as described by mathematical models. A research cruise was used to sample the total area of the UGC during the major spawning season. Shrimp in various larval stages were concentrated off the Sonora coast (mainland coast) of the UGC, and individuals in postlarvae stage continue this route to the nursery area in the Colorado River delta. Larvae are not advected to nursery areas by residual currents as previously thought. Larvae remain near the mainland coast until they have the motile capability to actively search for a favourable habitat. RESUMENEste estudio describe el patrón de distribución de las larvas y postlarvas de camarones peneidos en el Alto Golfo de California (AGC). Lo anterior con el propósito de confirmar las trayectorias que siguen los estadios tempranos de los camarones peneidos para alcanzar las áreas de crianza que fueron previamente reportadas por modelos numéricos. Se llevó a cabo un crucero de investigación para muestrear toda el área del AGC. Durante la temporada de desove más importante. Los diferentes estadios larvales se concentraron en la costa de Sonora (costa continental). Los estadios larvales continuaron por esa ruta hacia el área de crianza localizada en el delta del Río Colorado. La corriente residual no es la que transporta a las larvas de camarón a su área de crianza como se había pensado previamente. Las larvas se mantienen cerca de la costa continental del Alto Golfo hasta que tienen capacidad natatoria para encontrar el hábitat favorable. 4 )

PANGAS: An Interdisciplinary Ecosystem-Based Research Framework for Small-Scale Fisheries in the Northern Gulf of California

“…The cruises sampled 85 stations using protocols developed by PANGAS to produce a detailed description of the physical and chemical seascape of the region (Lavín et al 2010). For each cruise, we generated conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) data and vertical profiles of temperature, salinity, density, dissolved oxygen, and fluorescence (chlorophyll a) (Godinez-Sandoval et al 2010 and determined fish larval abundance, distribution, and zooplankton volume (Sánchez-Velasco et al 2011;Jimenez-Rosenberg et al 2012a,b, 2013; Sánchez-Uvera 2012) as well as the abundance and distribution of shrimp larvae and post-larvae (Galindo-Bect et al 2011Barron-Barraza 2013). Two main spawning areas were identified in the NGC for coastal demersal and epipelagic fish species, one in the frontal zone of the upper GC and the other in the frontal zone to the south of the Midriff Islands region (Danell-Jiménez et al 2009;Sánchez-Velasco et al 2013).…”