ARPHA Preprints, doi: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e160806
The fish assemblage of a Mexican protected spring system dominated by invasive fishes
expand article infoTopiltzin Contreras-MacBeath, Masiel Moreno Romero§, Humberto Mejia Mojica, Juan Manuel Rivas González|, Juan Carlos Sandoval Manríquez, Juan Alberto Hernández Arias#, Enrique González Gavito¤
‡ Laboratorio de Ictiología, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico§ Maestría en Manejo de Recursos Naturales, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico| Laboratorio de Conservación de la Biodiversidad Dulceacuícola, Escuela de Estudios Superiores del Jicarero, UAEM., Jojutla, Mexico¶ Escuela de Turismo, UAEM, Cuernavaca, Mexico# Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, UAEM, Cuernavaca, Mexico¤ Dirección de Sostenibilidad, Parque Natural Las Estacas, Tlaltizapán, Mexico
Open Access
Abstract

Springs, as sensitive freshwater ecosystems, are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic factors such as water extraction, pollution, and climate change. Las Estacas spring in Central Mexico, managed as a water park within a state reserve, serves as an ideal space for environmental education and conservation efforts. Snorkel surveys identified 14 fish species, with 70% being invasive and most of these come from ornamental fish. The fish assemblage was dominated by Xiphophorus helleri and Amatitlania nigrofasciata with 23% and 21% of the sample respectively, followed by two native species Poecilia sphenops and Astyanax mexicanus with 15% each aquaculture. To address this, a rewilding project is now in place, with the goal to establish a fish assemblage dominated by native species through habitat management, invasive species control, native species introduction, and education.

Keywords
Fishes, Spring, Mexico, Invasive species