ECOLOGICAL CARACTORLZATLON OF THO ENSAMBLAGES OF DEMERSAL FLSHOS IN THO COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN, WITH EMPHASIS IN SNOPPORS (LUT|ANLDAE)

Abstract

The moan objectives of Iho prosenl study were to establish iho oxistonco ol domorsal lish associations in the sholf and suporior slop© ol tho Colombian Caribboan norlhorn zono and dolormine if tho biolical paltoms dolorminotod by these associations are corrolalioned with tho patloms structured by the environmental conditions evaluated. Data woro taken Irom threo domorsal rosources assessment surveys of tho INPA-VECEPAJE Program. earned out dunng the penod 1995-1996 Tho station groups were not conslstont In terms of species composition along the <»t1oreni periods. The dominant charactenstc of domorsal spocos associations was Iho absonco of terrÿoral persistence. Only It was possible to find somo partial associations which remain dunng a maximum of two sampling penods: Rhombophles auronibens/Pnacanthus aronatus. Lutjanus analis/Lutjanus synagns y Eucinoslomus argontousAJpeneus parvus It were observed seasonal changos in the set of environmental vanables which bettor explain tho community structure. but depth always appears in tho optimal correlation set. Apparently, species co-existence is rather duo to a common answer to environmental gradients, than to spocios interactions. Nevertheless, the relatively low corrolations seem to indicate that other factors, like migrations for biological reasons. could also affect the structuro and composition of demersal fish associations, on a smaller time scale.