Octavio Quintanar Retama

A biologist who graduated from the UNAM Faculty of Sciences, he holds a Master’s degree from the UNAM Graduate Program in Marine Sciences and Limnology and a Ph.D. in Science from the UNAM Graduate Program in Biological Sciences. He has published six articles in indexed journals, five of them as first author and two as corresponding author. He contributed to the development of a volume of the Environmental Baseline Atlas of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). He has participated in national and international conferences. He has participated in 15 oceanographic expeditions, in most of them as watch officer and leader of the group responsible for benthic sampling. He participated in the CIGoM project as the person responsible for analyzing benthic macrofauna and meiofauna communities, assisting in planning and leading the execution of sampling, processing samples in the laboratory, and preparing technical reports.

EDUCATION

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the UNAM School of Sciences, a Master’s degree in Marine Sciences and Limnology from the UNAM Graduate Program in Marine Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the UNAM Graduate Program in Biological Sciences.

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Animal Science and Zoology, Aquatic Science

Scopus Publications

Abundance and diversity patterns and environmental drivers of Peracarida (Arthropoda, Crustacea) macrofauna from the deep sea of the southwestern Gulf of Mexico
Octavio Quintanar-Retama, Ana Rosa Vázquez-Bader, Adolfo Gracia
Journal of Marine Systems, 2024
We present unique data of abundance, spatial diversity, and bathymetric patterns of the Peracarida communities of the economic and ecological important scarce studied area of the southern Gulf of Mexico. Peracarida macrofauna was collected from 63 sites in a large geographical area (92.67°– 96.70° W, 18.74°–23.04° N) with a wide bathymetric gradient (185–3740 m depth) of the deep-sea southwestern Gulf of Mexico. The samples were obtained onboard the R/V Justo Sierra (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM) using a Reineck-type box corer during four oceanographic cruises (SOGOM 1–4; 2015–2018). We examined the bathymetric and spatial patterns of standardized abundance (ind. m -2 ) and taxonomic diversity (Hill numbers, q = 0, 1, and 2). Abundance patterns were related to environmental parameters (organic matter, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, bottom water temperature, dissolved oxygen and grain composition). We collected 684 specimens belonging to 53 Peracarida families of 4 orders (Amphipoda, 19; Isopoda, 17; Tanaidacea, 13; and Cumacea, 4). The most abundant orders were Amphipoda and Tanaidacea, representing 36.4% and 35.8% of the total abundance, respectively, followed by Isopoda (25.1%). Cumacea was the least abundant order (2.7%). The top ten abundant families in order were Apseudidae, Phoxocephalidae, Caprellidae, Desmosomatidae, Nototanaidae, Nannoniscidae, Tanaellidae, Ischnomesidae, Podoceridae, and Agathotanaidae, accounting for 66% of the total relative abundance. The abundance decreased with increasing depth. Highest values were recorded in the northwestern region of the study area and in the Campeche Bay salt domes zone, whereas the lowest abundance values were registered at the abyssal locations and in some sites located in the Coatzacoalcos and Campeche Canyons. The composition and structure of the peracarid community showed shifts related to depth. The major structural abiotic factors of the Peracarida community were: latitude, depth, temperature, and sediment aliphatic hydrocarbons. The diversity based on the three estimated Hill numbers consistently decreased with increasing depth. We recorded intermediate and low diversity values in almost the entire study area, except for the Campeche Bay salt domes zone and northwestern region, where intermediate and high diversity values were registered. • The Peracarida abundance decrease with increasing depth. • The alpha Peracarida diversity decrease with increasing depth. • Amphipoda, Tanaidacea, and Isopoda where the must abundant orders. • The peracarid community composition and structure shifted along the depth range. • Latitude, depth, temperature, and aliphatic hydrocarbons were the community drivers.
Macrofauna abundance and diversity patterns of deep sea southwestern Gulf of Mexico
Octavio Quintanar-Retama, Ana Rosa Vázquez-Bader, Adolfo Gracia
Frontiers in Marine Science, 2023
The diversity and distribution of macrofaunal communities in the deep-sea bottoms of Gulf of Mexico (GoM) Mexican waters are poorly known compared to the northern GoM. This study was designed to contribute to the knowledge of macrofauna communities through (i) evaluate the taxonomic composition of macrofauna communities at major taxa level, and (ii) analyze the spatial distribution patterns in the deep sea of the southwestern GoM. Benthic macrofauna composition was analyzed in a large geographical area (92.67°–96.70° W 18.74°–23.04° N) and bathymetric gradient (185-3740 m depth). Samples were collected on board the R/V Justo Sierra (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) with a Reineck-type box corer during the oceanographic cruises SOGOM-3 and SOGOM-4 carried out on April 21–May 15, 2017, and on August 29–September 20, 2018, respectively. Thirteen environmental parameters were measured (among them, depth, salinity, temperature, O2, sediment grain size, hydrocarbons, and organic matter). Twenty-five taxa were registered in SOGOM 3 (2315 individuals) all of which were observed in SOGOM 4 (1721 individuals) with exception of the mollusk Class Solenogastres. The average abundance (ind. m-2) registered was 517 (range: 150-1388 ind. m-2), and 347 (range: 38-1088 ind. m-2) for SOGOM 3, and SOGOM 4, respectively. In SOGOM 3 Polychaeta, Nematoda, Amphipoda, Tanaidacea, and Bivalvia contributed with 75% of the total abundance, which were also the most abundant in SOGOM 4 representing 82% of total macrofauna abundance. Highest abundance was registered to the south of the study area near the coast, and the lowest one was found in deeper areas. Macrofauna abundance decreased with depth in both cruises. High diversity values were registered at intermediate depths in the south and west zones of the study area. Both cruises separated in a nMDS analysis. During SOGOM 3 dissolved oxygen, aromatic hydrocarbons, and organic matter (%) were the environmental variables related to macrofauna whereas, in SOGOM 4, depth was the most important one. This study fills a gap in the knowledge of diversity and distribution of macrofaunal communities of the deep-sea bottoms of a large area covering the whole bathymetric range of southern Gulf of Mexico and provides a baseline useful to compare with polluted areas and for assessing the impact of chronic pollution and/or potential oil spill accidents.
Depth-related patterns and regional diversity of free-living nematodes in the deep-sea Southwestern Gulf of Mexico
Maickel Armenteros, Octavio Quintanar-Retama, Adolfo Gracia
Frontiers in Marine Science, 2022
Diversity of free-living marine nematode assemblages in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico (SW GoM) is scarcely studied. Here, we aimed (1) to analyze the influence of a water depth gradient on the species richness, feeding type and taxonomic composition of assemblages; and (2) to document the regional diversity of free-living nematodes in the SW GoM. We sampled 63 sites along a water depth gradient from 186 to 3774 m during four oceanographic cruises. We found clear variations along the depth gradient of bottom water (temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen) and sediment variables (grain size and organic content). We identified 1881 nematodes belonging to 108 genera, 33 families, ten orders, and two classes. The abundance and species richness decreased with water depth. However, the expected number of species for a same level of abundance did not change along the depth gradient likely because the scarcity of food was compensated by reduced environmental stress (e.g., higher oxygen content and physical stability). Microbial sucker was the most abundant feeding type indicating the important role of sediment bacteria in the nematode’s diet. Species composition varied along the depth gradient with dominance in the upper slope sites of species of Comesomatidae tolerant to reduced sediments (e.g., Dorylaimopsis sp., Sabatieria spp., and Setosabatieria hilarula). Many congeneric species typical of deep sea were restricted to the deepest sites such as Acantholaimus spp., Ledovitia spp., Desmoscolex spp., and Halalaimus spp. The nematode regional diversity of SW GoM was 154 species, but the Chao 1 estimator indicated a richness of about 194 species and a highest limit of 246 species. The accumulation curves of richness were non-asymptotic suggesting a substantial fraction of undiscovered richness. Our study increased the free-living nematode fauna of GoM in 144 species (76%) respect to Hope’s list (2009). The large diversity of nematodes stands out the necessity of further studies to unravel the environmental drivers of α- and β-diversities and highlights the potential of this taxon for monitoring the deep sea of the Gulf of Mexico.
Polychaete dataset of the southwestern Gulf of Mexico including: taxonomic checklist, abundance, bathymetric distribution, functional diversity, geographic location, and sampling sites depth
Octavio Quintanar-Retama, Ana Rosa Vázquez-Bader, Adolfo Gracia
Data in Brief, 2022
A taxonomic list of 69 genera belonging to 33 families of the Polychaeta class (Annelida) collected in 54 deepwater sites of the southwestern Gulf of Mexico is presented. Abundance data of these 69 genera is also included. A dataset of geographical location and depth of sampling sites is given. Graphs of depth related community functional diversity variation are shown. The biological material was obtained from sediment samples collected aboard the Justo Sierra Oceanographic Vessel of the National Autonomous University of Mexico using a Reineck-type box corer with an effective area of 0.16 m2. In each core a subsample of 0.08 m2 and 13 cm deep was taken and washed through a 500-micron sieve with filtered seawater. Abundances were standardized to individuals per square meter. The average abundance contribution percentage graphs were done calculating the average standardized abundance of each guild and the contribution percentage of each one to the four depth categories established: Upper bathyal zone (UBZ); middle bathyal zone (MBZ); lower bathyal zone (LBZ) and abyssal zone (ABYZ). These data could be useful for comparative purposes with new data of polychaete communities in the same area or another region.
Diversity and distribution patterns of macrofauna polychaetes (Annelida) in deep waters of the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico
Octavio Quintanar-Retama, Maickel Armenteros, Adolfo Gracia
Deep Sea Research Part I Oceanographic Research Papers, 2022
Distribution patterns of three new species of Paradoneis (Annelida: Paraonidae) from the southern Gulf of Mexico, with a dichotomous key for the Grand Caribbean species
Octavio Quintanar-Retama, Pablo Hernández-Alcántara, Vivianne Solís-Weiss
Marine Biodiversity, 2019

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Abundance and diversity patterns and environmental drivers of Peracarida (Arthropoda, Crustacea) macrofauna from the deep sea of the southwestern Gulf of Mexico
O Quintanar-Retama, AR Vázquez-Bader, A Gracia
Journal of Marine Systems 244, 103977 , 2024
2024.0
Citations: 6
Macrofauna abundance and diversity patterns of deep sea southwestern Gulf of Mexico
O Quintanar-Retama, AR Vazquez-Bader, A Gracia
Frontiers in Marine Science 9, 1033596 , 2023
2023.0
Citations: 13
Composición estructura y distribución de las comunidades de Polychaeta, Peracarida y Aplacophora de la macrofauna bentónica del mar profundo del Suroeste del Golfo de México
O Quintanar Retama
2023.0
Depth-related patterns and regional diversity of free-living nematodes in the deep-sea Southwestern Gulf of Mexico
M Armenteros, O Quintanar-Retama, A Gracia
Frontiers in Marine Science 9, 1023996 , 2022
2022.0
Citations: 14
Polychaete dataset of the southwestern Gulf of Mexico including: taxonomic checklist, abundance, bathymetric distribution, functional diversity, geographic location, and …
O Quintanar-Retama, AR Vázquez-Bader, A Gracia
Data in Brief 43, 108370 , 2022
2022.0
Diversity and distribution patterns of macrofauna polychaetes (Annelida) in deep waters of the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico
O Quintanar-Retama, M Armenteros, A Gracia
Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers 181, 103699 , 2022
2022.0
Citations: 16
Distribution patterns of three new species of Paradoneis (Annelida: Paraonidae) from the southern Gulf of Mexico, with a dichotomous key for the Grand Caribbean …
O Quintanar-Retama, P Hernández-Alcántara, V Solís-Weiss
Marine Biodiversity 49 (6), 2851-2870 , 2019
2019.0
Citations: 5
Taxonomía distribución y diversidad de los paraonidae (Polychaeta: scolecida) del occidente y sur del Golfo de México
O Quintanar Retama
2015.0
Seasonal and depth-related abundance, and diversity patterns of the polychaete families of the southwestern deep sea of the Gulf of Mexico
O Quintanar-Retama, AR Vázquez-Bader, A Gracia
Available at SSRN 5848162 , 0
Corresponding author’s email address and Twitter handle
O Quintanar-Retama, ARV Badera, A Graciaa

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Diversity and distribution patterns of macrofauna polychaetes (Annelida) in deep waters of the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico
O Quintanar-Retama, M Armenteros, A Gracia
Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers 181, 103699 , 2022
2022.0
Citations: 16
Depth-related patterns and regional diversity of free-living nematodes in the deep-sea Southwestern Gulf of Mexico
M Armenteros, O Quintanar-Retama, A Gracia
Frontiers in Marine Science 9, 1023996 , 2022
2022.0
Citations: 14
Macrofauna abundance and diversity patterns of deep sea southwestern Gulf of Mexico
O Quintanar-Retama, AR Vazquez-Bader, A Gracia
Frontiers in Marine Science 9, 1033596 , 2023
2023.0
Citations: 13
Abundance and diversity patterns and environmental drivers of Peracarida (Arthropoda, Crustacea) macrofauna from the deep sea of the southwestern Gulf of Mexico
O Quintanar-Retama, AR Vázquez-Bader, A Gracia
Journal of Marine Systems 244, 103977 , 2024
2024.0
Citations: 6
Distribution patterns of three new species of Paradoneis (Annelida: Paraonidae) from the southern Gulf of Mexico, with a dichotomous key for the Grand Caribbean …
O Quintanar-Retama, P Hernández-Alcántara, V Solís-Weiss
Marine Biodiversity 49 (6), 2851-2870 , 2019
2019.0
Citations: 5
Composición estructura y distribución de las comunidades de Polychaeta, Peracarida y Aplacophora de la macrofauna bentónica del mar profundo del Suroeste del Golfo de México
O Quintanar Retama
2023.0
Polychaete dataset of the southwestern Gulf of Mexico including: taxonomic checklist, abundance, bathymetric distribution, functional diversity, geographic location, and …
O Quintanar-Retama, AR Vázquez-Bader, A Gracia
Data in Brief 43, 108370 , 2022
2022.0
Taxonomía distribución y diversidad de los paraonidae (Polychaeta: scolecida) del occidente y sur del Golfo de México
O Quintanar Retama
2015.0
Seasonal and depth-related abundance, and diversity patterns of the polychaete families of the southwestern deep sea of the Gulf of Mexico
O Quintanar-Retama, AR Vázquez-Bader, A Gracia
Available at SSRN 5848162 , 0
Corresponding author’s email address and Twitter handle
O Quintanar-Retama, ARV Badera, A Graciaa