Functional reef fish groups of the Mexican Caribbean: implications of habitat complexity

Habitat complexity significantly influences the richness and functional diversity of reef fish communities in the Mexican Caribbean, with slopes exhibiting the highest fish richness across all studied localities. The study analyzed 160 species from 11 reef sites along the Yucatán Peninsula, classifying them into 28 functional groups based on diet and morphology. While protection status within Sian Ka'an did not correlate with response variables, the findings highlight the importance of habitat complexity in maintaining ecosystem connectivity and biodiversity. This research contributes to understanding the ecological dynamics shaping marine biodiversity hotspots under increasing threat.

Aguilar-Medrano, R., & Arias-González, J. E. (2018). Functional reef fish groups of the Mexican Caribbean: implications of habitat complexity. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad, 89(4). https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2018.4.2398