Darkedge midshipman Porichthys analis (Batrachoidiformes: Batrachoididae), a common shrimp-bycatch fish from the Gulf of California

• Published in: Revista de biología tropical Vol. 60; no. 4; pp. 1795 - 1805
• Main Authors: Gonzalez-Ochoa, O A, Lopez-Martinez, J, Hernandez-Saavedra, N Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: 01.12.2012
• Subjects: Batrachoididae; Batrachoidiformes; Decapoda; Marine; Mollusca; Porichthys; ISE, Mexico, California Gulf
• ISSN: 0034-7744

Shrimp fishery bycatch of the Gulf of California constitutes a wide variety of highly unknown fish, crustacean, and mollusk species with very low or null economic value, in contrast to those of commercial interest. However, there are no studies yet on the role of these low economic valued species have in the community structure and function, together with their possible effect on commercial populations. With the aim of contributing to the knowledge of Darkedge Midshipman fish Porichthys analis, the most common waste species in this fishery, we estimated some population characteristics. For this purpose, we obtained shrimp-bycatch fish during the 2004-2005 fishing season and performed some research surveys. A total of 1725 Darkedge Midshipman were captured from 350 bycatch samples. Individual size ranged from 43-352mm SL. The weight to standard length relationship was determined as W=0.000092SL super(3.0509). Von Bertalanffy's growth coefficient indicated a moderate growth rate (K=0.5) with an estimated asymptotic length ofL sub(x)=352mm standard length, and a longevity of 6yr. Natural mortality was estimated as 0.97 and total mortality as 4.67. The recruitment pattern, as estimated by ELEFAN II, was extended over the year, peaking during spring and summer seasons. Sexual proportion of male:female was 1.65:1. Mature organisms appeared from August to March, and length at maturity was 157mm SL, which is larger than the mean size at capture 135mm SL. We concluded that the species is indirectly protected by its own bathymetric distribution and the off-shrimping season. This is the first study that considers population characteristics from this common but still unknown species.Original Abstract: A diferencia de las especies de interes comercial, la historia de vida de los peces no comerciales es casi desconocida a pesar de su potencial importancia en la estructura y funcion de la comunidad. Para contribuir al conocimiento de estas especies se estimaron algunas caracteristicas poblacionales del ehupalodo Porcihchly sanalis. La fauna de acompanamiento de la pesqueria del camaron en el Golfo de California esta constituida por especies poco conocidas y de escaso valor comercial. Las especies de la familia Batrachoididae son frecuentemente utilizadas como animales experimentales, pero poco se sabe de P. analis. De esta manera a partir de la fauna de acompanamiento se recolectaron 1 725 organismos y se determino la relacion talla-peso W=0.000092SL super(3.0509). Mediante ELBFAN I, se estimo un crecimiento moderado (K=0.5/ano) con una longitud asintotica mayor que la observada reportada anteriormente (L,=352mm SL) y una longevidad de 6 anos. La mortalidad natural se estimo en M=0.97 la total en Z=4.67. El patron de reclutamiento fue mayor durante primavera-verano. La proporcion sexual M:F fue 1.65:1 y la talla media de primera madurez fue de 157mm SL mayor que la talla media de captura 135mm SL. Este es el primer reporte que considera las caracteristicas poblacionales de esta especie comun, pero poco conocida.