First record of vertical movements of the totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) as evidenced by pop-up satellite tags in the Upper Gulf of California

摘要: The description of the movements and habitat preference marine fishes is essential to understand their biology in evaluation commercially exploited species conservation endangered ones. In this regard, little known about totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi), despite its being listed as critically having been a relevant fishery resource past century Mexico. Totoaba fish endemic Gulf California characterized by late maturation, prolonged life annual reproduction. has maintained historical distribution range, although occupancy water column have remained poorly understood. present study describes, for first time at daily fine scale, vertical preferences Upper California. Pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) were used record depth temperature 4-minute intervals. Ten individuals caught tagged May 2016 Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve. All PSATs either prematurely released or lost. Data derived from two recovered that saved data 43 75 tracking days, respectively, analysed. results showed moved southward vicinity Angel de la Guarda Island; these are consistent with spatial displacement patterns reported literature, linear 223 km deployment pop-up sites. Fish spent 47% within range 25–35 m. Depth increased 70 m one early summer (late June). preferred ranged between 21–23°C. A generalized model revealed movement was influenced temperature. shows diurnal variation may be associated prey. Further work needed test hypothesis larger number organisms.