Abstract

PATINO-ESPINOSA, Sandra Gisele; ACOSTA-GONZALEZ, Gilberto  and  ARDISSON, Pedro Luis. Benthic macroalgae diversity in relation to substratum in the Xcalak Reefs National Park, Quintana Roo. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2022, vol.93, e933953.  Epub Jan 23, 2023. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2022.93.3953.

Macroalgae depend on specific substrata for their growth and propagation. This relationship is essential to understand the functioning of coral reefs. In Mexico, however, studies on this subject are scarce. Therefore, in the present study, the diversity of macroalgae species in the Xcalak Reefs National Park (PNAX) was determined in relation to the substrata they colonize. In July 2012, 10 sampling sites were selected in 4 zones of the PNAX: Zaragoza Canal (C), Lagoon Reef 1 (LA1), Lagoon Reef 2 (LA2), and Fore Reef (AF). With the help of transects and quadrants, specimens of 61 taxa of macroalgae (among them a morphotype) were collected manually, mainly Rhodophyta, on 3 abiotic and 18 biotic substrata. Of these taxa, 17 species were new records for the PNAX and 1 for the Quintana Roo’s coast. The diversity was higher in LA (3.89), followed by AF (3.71), observing common species between both zones. The families Halimedaceae, Udoteaceae, and Anadyomenaceae were observed growing on abiotic substrata, while the families Halimedaceae and Dictyotaceae constituted substrata for other Rhodophyta. The number of macroalgae registered in the PNAX represents 10.4% of the total registered for Quintana Roo’s coast.

Keywords : Chlorophyta; Ochrophyta; Rhodophyta; Species diversity; Caribbean Sea.

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