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Laguna El Arco, Ocoyoacac, Mexico

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Mexico, State of Mexico, Ocoyoacac

La Laguna el Arco is located in the Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla National Park, better known as La Marquesa, in the municipality of Ocoyoacac, State of Mexico. In turn, La Marquesa is located in the Central Plateau of Mexico, one of the most extensive mountain systems in the world and is considered by the World Conservation Monitoring Center as one of the most important regions in the world for the conservation of fish. freshwater since here is the main area of ​​freshwater wetlands in the country with a unique diversity of fish, in which the goodeids are one of the most representative groups.

This biotope aquarium represents the marginal area of ​​Laguna el Arco, La Marquesa National Park, where you can find a population of goodeid (Girardinichthys multiradiatus), locally known as Mexclapique, a fish endemic to Mexico with the category of endangered.

Submitted by
Amadeo Hernández Pérez
Approved by
Michael Köck & Jairo Arroyave
GPS
19.2982750, -99.3763199
Geographical region
Central America
Drainage Basin
Laguna el Arco
River catchment
Parque Nacional la Marquesa
Water body type
Laguna
Water body name
Laguna el Arco
Water body part
Pool
Water body course
Water body: tributary of
Tributary name

Videos above and below water


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Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type
fresh-water
Water color
Clear water
Water transparency
Medium
Concentration of sediments
Medium
Water temperature
14-18 °C
Water flow/curent
Slow

Chemical parameters

pH
7.8
Conductivity
GH
4 mg/l
dGH
KH
15 mg/l
dKH
Dissolved Oxygen
4.1 %

Substrate in nature

Sand
Beige
Pebble/Gravel
None
Stone
Brown
Stone form
Roundish
Silt/Mud
Beige
Leaves
Few
Driftwood
Few
Submerged terrestrial vegetation
Yes

Aquatic Biotope

Date of collecting
07/05/2024
Collecting area
Edge of reservoir
Water depth
0,5m
Air temperature
Sunlight
Full sun

Environment

Environment
Human settlements
Human settlements
Urban area
Surrounding area

The lagoon is mainly surrounded by coniferous forest (Pinnus, Abies, Cupressus and Juniperus) and high mountain grasslands, the soil in the area is mainly clay. In this body of water we can find Elodea densa, Hydrocotyle sp., Eleocharis sp., Mimulus sp., Juncus sp., Poa annua, Pennisetum clandestinum and Typha latifolia.

There are waterfowl (Fulica americana and Egretta sp.) and other birds around the lake, such as Turdus migratorius, Junco phaeonotus, domestic Passer, Quiscalus mexicanus. As for reptiles, can be seen lizards (Sceloporus grammicus) and snakes Crotalus triseriatus (range of distribution of the species).

Regarding aquatic fauna, the moderately populated schools of Girardinichthys multiradiatus stand out mainly, which have greater feeding and reproductive courtship activity. Some aquatic snails of the genus Physa and Planorbis are distributed among the colonies of Elodea densa; We can also find the crustacean Cambarellus montezumae locally known as acocil and two species of exotic fish introduced for sport fishing (Oncorhynchus mikiss and Cyprinus carpio). Amphibians make an appearance with frogs of the species Lithobates montezumae.

Underwater landscape

The lagoon has an approximate length of 150 meters long by 80 meters wide; 85% of its water column is densely populated by large aquatic gardens of Elodea (Egeria dense), its marginal zone ranges between 50-65cm deep and appears crystal clear, making it easy to observe the activity of the Mexcalpique (Girardinichthys multiradiatus) and appreciate the beauty of the biotope as well as its biotic (aquatic flora and fauna) and abiotic (substrate, some roots and very few stones) components. The substrate is clayey and in the event of any aggressive movement the water will become cloudy for a few minutes.

Fishes:

  • Girardinichthys multiradiatus (Goodeidae)
  • Oncorhynchus mikiss (Salmonidae)
  • Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae)

Amphibians:

  • Lithobates montezumae (Ranidae)

Crustacean:

  • Cambarellus montezuma (Cambaridae)

Molluscs:

  • Physa sp. (Physidae)
  • Planorbis sp. (Planorbidae)

Aquatic plants:

  • Elodea densa (Hydrocharitaceae)
  • Spirogyra sp. (Zygnemataceae)

Wetland plants:

  • Typha latifolia (Typhaceae)
  • Juncus sp. (Juncaceae)
  • Hydrocotyle sp. (Hydrocotyloideae)

 

Threats to ecology

The main threat presented by Laguna el Arco is the illegal logging in the forests around the lagoon. Unfortunately, there is no adequate regularization by local authorities. Another negative point is the poor management that the locals have with the tourism they receive on weekends, the large number of people who come to the site leave garbage and contaminate the area. Another aspect to mention is the introduction of exotic species for sport fishing (Oncorhynchus mickiss and Cyprinus carpio) which have a negative effect since, being exotic species, they

  1. are predators,
  2. compete for food resources and
  3. alter the ecological niche being able to displace local species

Riparian zone

Trees near the aquatic habitat
Many -

Bibliography

Sitography

→ Goodeid Working Group
→ Canal Once

Comment by the expert

Michael Köck: The biotope has been intensively studied by the participant and described in an adequat way. No complaints.

Jairo Arroyave: Research on this aspect seems sufficient and satisfactory. The description of the habitat is quite detailed and the list of animal and plant appears thorough, and includes fish, amphibians crustaceans, and molluscs, as well as a number of aquatic plants. I think the common name mexclapique applies only to G. viviparus, not G. multiradiatus, though. Video and photo of BIN only from above and not below water. It would’ve been nice to see video of BIN from below the water for comparative purposes with BAM.