Cenotes: The Entrance to the Underworld Maya
Cenote is a term that only is used in Mexico and that comes from the word Mayan "dzonot", that means "abyss"; they are well of sweet water wells created by erosion of limestone, soft and porous stone, but for the maya world were sources of life that provided the vital liquid, in addition to being a gateway to the wonders of the other world and the center of communion with the gods.
In the Peninsula of Yucatan abound the cenotes and is an of them experiences more exciting, that only can enjoy is in this part of the world, is diving and explore these fabulous and mysterious cenotes and its rivers hidden.
Them ancient Maya possessed a connection incredibly strong with them cenotes, because not only was his source main of water, but were considered places sacred and, to the same time, the entrance to the underworld.
Currently, the fauna inhabits the cenotes is endangered, endemic species caused by the relative isolation, and many others have been villages, artificially, by new species that make their life within these cenotes.
VARIETY OF WILDLIFE THAT INHABITS THE CENOTES
Studies among the species of invertebrates that inhabit them, specially focused between the macro and, similarly, on zooplankton have been within the cenotes that are inhabited.
On the other hand, in the cenotes inhabits a large number of vertebrates, such as iguanas, turtles, toads and frogs, while on its walls, birds such as swallows nests continuously.
Similarly, it is common to find a variety of fish, especially in those natural wells that are near the coasts, such as cichlids, the guppies, the sardines and the molis, catfish; on some systems you can find, even invasive marine, as snappers, the needles, the Tarpon and Gobies.
Furthermore, in the more isolated cenotes, that have not been reached by the most recent increases den sea levels, they are only two species: catfish and the guppy
PECIES UNIQUE IN ITS TYPE
He type of fauna that inhabits in them cenotes can in some occasions species unique in its type, or even those creatures that is found in way of extinction, as, for example, the fish blind of Yucatan, the eel blind, it damablanca blind and the eel of mud, as well as species endemic of a sardine and a moli.
On the other hand, it is common to find, in the Tulum cenotes, American eels, which comply with a process of life different from that commonly experience it when they continue their life cycle in the rivers.
THE CYCLE FOOD
Fortunately, there is a diversity of flora and fauna that inhabits the cenotes, which allows to maintain, stably, the food chain. It is not common that these species suffering from famine, and if it occurs it can resist it without major problems.
