Abstract

PACHECO CERVERA, Miroslava del Carmen et al. Presence of genus Caulerpa in Campeche Bay, Camp.. Hidrobiológica [online]. 2010, vol.20, n.1, pp.57-69. ISSN 0188-8897.

In 12 stations of the Campeche Bay six species of the genus Caulerpa, including C. ashmeadii as a new record for the region, were found. Just one station had the highest number of species in the dry seasons and north. The dry season had the highest number of species per station. C. prolifera and C. ashmeadii were the most common species in the three climate seasons. The greatest numbers of species were found at stations in the Northeast and the lowest number in stations of the southwest, the latter associated probably with anthropogenic impacts (inputs of hot water from a thermal power plant and municipal waste discharges). This result suggests the necessity of policies to improve water quality and reduce organic waste dumped off the coast of Campeche. With these new records, the number of Caulerpa's taxa from Campeche increases to 25: 12 species, seven varieties and six forms. The results endorse the necessity of conduct phycofloristic studies in Campeche.

Keywords : Chlorophyta; Caulerpa ashmeadii; Gulf of Mexico; macroalgae; new record.