Mortalidad natural del erizo rojo de Baja California, México, estimada con la temperatura medida in situ y con sensores satelitales

The natural mortality (M) of the red sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) on the northwestern coast of Baja California between 1985 and 2007 was of 0.251 ± 0.008 (mean ± standard deviation); these values were calculated with the Pauly (1983) method, based upon growth parameters and the habitat temperature (Th). Growth parameters were taken from literature and the temperature was measured in situ (Th) and with satellite sensors (Th’). The variations of M were related to El Nino and La Nina events; another authors’ results suggest that these events affect metabolism and morbidity of red sea urchins as well as the availability of food to animals of all ages.