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Benthic Index for Estimating Food Availability in Two Soft Bottoms Fishing Areas

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Abstract

Based on the role of mollusks in trophic webs, this study aimed to implement a benthic food availability index (BFAI) estimated from soft-bottom benthic mollusks in fishing areas. Two lobsters fishing regions, Caibarién and Batabanó, were sampled. The design of BFAI was based on the densities, biomasses, and species richness of mollusks at eight sites in each region. Mollusks and benthos communities (> 4 mm) were sampled by dredging. Spatial effectiveness of BFAI was tested comparing among sites and regions. Temporal effectiveness was tested comparing BFAI between Past period (1981–1985 in Batabanó and 1989–1990 in Caibarién) and Current data (2015 in Caibarién and 2015–2018 in Batabanó). BFAI was regressed with Shannon-Weiner diversity and species richness indices. BFAI average in Caibarién (2015) was 0.90. In Batabanó it was 0.64 and 1.09 for 2015 and 2018 respectively. In both regions BFAI varied among sites and shows a significant temporary decrease, going from "Good" in the Past to "Fair" in the Current. No differences were found between regions, but spatial distribution of BFAI values ​​corresponds to the biotic potential (density, biomass, and species richness of benthos), which suggests the certainly of BFAI detecting the benthic community variations that affect the food availability. Regression coefficients were significant in more than 60% of the cases being between 0.701 and 0.978. BFAI showed greater values where lobsters catches have been usually higher, it means that BFAI constitute another environmental explanation for lobster abundance decrease at natural fishing areas.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We are particularly grateful to José Espinosa Sáez for the knowledge transmitted and his irreplaceable help in identifying the organisms. We wish to acknowledge the workers of the Batabanó fishing company for their help during the samplings. ALC thanks the National Polytechnic Institute (BEIFI) and the National Council of Science and Technology, Mexico, for the scholarships received to carry out their graduate studies. LAAC appreciates the support received through the IPN Institutional Programs: Researchers' Performance Encouragement (EDI) and the Commission for the Operation and Promotion of Academic Activities (COFAA).

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ALC and DMC contributed to the concept and design of the study and conducted the data collection. NCP ran the statistical analysis. ALC and LMBC wrote the main sections of the manuscript with input from NCP and DMC. All authors approved the submitted version.

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Correspondence to Leonardo Andrés Abitia-Cárdenas.

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Lopeztegui-Castillo, A., Martínez-Coello, D. & Abitia-Cárdenas, L.A. Benthic Index for Estimating Food Availability in Two Soft Bottoms Fishing Areas. Thalassas 37, 487–495 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-021-00341-0

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