STRUCTURE OF FISH COMMUNITY IN THE CIÉNAGA DE MALLORQUÍN, COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN.

Abstract

In order to evaluate the structure of the fish community in the coastal lagoon of Mallorquín, sampling was made each two weeks in nine stations widely allocated in the study area from July 1998 to April 1999. A total of 36 species corresponding to 22 fish families were analized. Based on the frequency of occurrence, 58% were classified as occasional visitors, 26% as frequent visitors, and a 16% as residents. Total abundance was 2424 individuals and 187 Kg of biomass (fresh weight). 89,3% of total abundance and the 89,6% of total biomass was represented by four families (Mugilidae, Engraulidae, Gerreidae and Ariidae. Four species (Mugil incilis, Cetengraulis edentulus, Diapterus rhombeus and Eugerres plumieri), included in three families, were dominant, representing 85,4% the whole sample. Species abundance, biomass y richness was homogeneous throughout the three climatic periods. Shannon-Weaver diversity index values oscillated between 0,13 and 0,33.