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MARINE ALGAE ASSOCIATED WITH CARIBBEAN ROCKY SHORES, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1111/j.1529-8817.2001.jpy37303-2.x
Subject(s) - rocky shore , species richness , biology , intertidal zone , ecology , halimeda , tide pool , algae , chlorophyta
Albert, E. M. & Lehman, R. L. Center for Coastal Studies, Texas A&M University‐Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 USA Rocky shores located on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula are typically high‐energy habitats associated with fringing or barrier reef systems. They are phytokarstic (iron‐shore) consisting of fossiliferous limestone that is composed of stony coral skeletons. This study compares the macroalgae from three rocky shores located on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Fifteen 0.25m 2 quadrates were randomly placed in the intertidal and subtidal zones and evaluated for dominant algal cover. In addition, fifteen 0.25 m 2 quadrates of standing stock material was randomly collected and used to characterize algal composition, species richness, abundance, and biomass. A voucher collection including herbarium mounts and preserved specimens were prepared for all species encountered. Thirty‐five species were identified representing three divisions: Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta, and Phaeophyta. Rhodophyta had the highest species richness with a total of fifteen taxa identified. Phaeophyta had the lowest species richness with seven taxa but dominated algal coverage at two of the three sites. Chlorophyta was represented by thirteen species. Species common to all points were represented by Digenia simplex, Laurencia poiteaui, Laurencia sp., Polysiphonia sp., Microdictyon marinum, Halimeda opuntia, Dictyosphaeria cavernosa, Padina sanctae‐crucis, and Turbinaria tricostata.