Fishing effects on elasmobranchs from the Pacific Coast of Colombia

During 1995, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2007; we studied the temporal variation in the structure of the elasmobranch assemblage along the Colombian Pacific coast using: the community index of diversity, heterogeneity, equitability, species composition, average catch sizes, and mean trophic levels. A total...

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Main Authors: Andrés Felipe Navia, Paola Andrea Mejía-Falla
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana 2016-01-01
Series:Universitas Scientiarum
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Online Access:http://revistas.javeriana.edu.co/index.php/scientarium/article/view/15344
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author Andrés Felipe Navia
Paola Andrea Mejía-Falla
author_facet Andrés Felipe Navia
Paola Andrea Mejía-Falla
author_sort Andrés Felipe Navia
collection DOAJ
description During 1995, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2007; we studied the temporal variation in the structure of the elasmobranch assemblage along the Colombian Pacific coast using: the community index of diversity, heterogeneity, equitability, species composition, average catch sizes, and mean trophic levels. A total of 1711 specimens from 19 species (7 sharks and 12 rays) were collected during the 90 trawling operations. The number of species captured varied between 7 (1995) and 12 (2007) demonstrating a trend towards an imbalance in the assemblage attributes. In 1995, the mean trophic level (TLm) of the assemblage was 3.60, but in 2007 it decreased to 3.55 when the functional level of large predators was absent (TL ≥ 4). These results suggest changes in species composition, structural attributes, and a reduction of the highest functional level. Alterations to the catch proportions were also found: i.e. a greater abundance of rays of lower trophic levels. This study suggests an effect of trawling on the stability of this tropical coastal ecosystem.
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spelling doaj-art-af0d8540c5254f08b70e95e29eacb1eb2025-08-20T02:23:15ZengPontificia Universidad JaverianaUniversitas Scientiarum0122-74832027-13522016-01-0121192210.11144/Javeriana.SC21-1.feoeFishing effects on elasmobranchs from the Pacific Coast of ColombiaAndrés Felipe Navia0Paola Andrea Mejía-Falla1 Fundación colombiana para la investigación y conservación de tiburones y rayas SQUALUS. Carrera 60A No.11-39, Cali, Colombia Fundación colombiana para la investigación y conservación de tiburones y rayas SQUALUS. Carrera 60A No.11-39, Cali, Colombia During 1995, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2007; we studied the temporal variation in the structure of the elasmobranch assemblage along the Colombian Pacific coast using: the community index of diversity, heterogeneity, equitability, species composition, average catch sizes, and mean trophic levels. A total of 1711 specimens from 19 species (7 sharks and 12 rays) were collected during the 90 trawling operations. The number of species captured varied between 7 (1995) and 12 (2007) demonstrating a trend towards an imbalance in the assemblage attributes. In 1995, the mean trophic level (TLm) of the assemblage was 3.60, but in 2007 it decreased to 3.55 when the functional level of large predators was absent (TL ≥ 4). These results suggest changes in species composition, structural attributes, and a reduction of the highest functional level. Alterations to the catch proportions were also found: i.e. a greater abundance of rays of lower trophic levels. This study suggests an effect of trawling on the stability of this tropical coastal ecosystem.http://revistas.javeriana.edu.co/index.php/scientarium/article/view/15344sharksraysfisheriestrophic levelscommunity structure.
spellingShingle Andrés Felipe Navia
Paola Andrea Mejía-Falla
Fishing effects on elasmobranchs from the Pacific Coast of Colombia
Universitas Scientiarum
sharks
rays
fisheries
trophic levels
community structure.
title Fishing effects on elasmobranchs from the Pacific Coast of Colombia
title_full Fishing effects on elasmobranchs from the Pacific Coast of Colombia
title_fullStr Fishing effects on elasmobranchs from the Pacific Coast of Colombia
title_full_unstemmed Fishing effects on elasmobranchs from the Pacific Coast of Colombia
title_short Fishing effects on elasmobranchs from the Pacific Coast of Colombia
title_sort fishing effects on elasmobranchs from the pacific coast of colombia
topic sharks
rays
fisheries
trophic levels
community structure.
url http://revistas.javeriana.edu.co/index.php/scientarium/article/view/15344
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