Resumo

CANO MALLO, Mercedes et al. Distribution, cover, morfometry and pigments concentration of Ulva faciata Delile from the northern coast of Havana, Cuba. Hidrobiológica [online]. 2005, vol.15, n.3, pp.261-274. ISSN 0188-8897.

In this paper was evaluated the distribution, cover percentage, morphometric variation and chlorophyll and carotenoides concentration of Ulva fasciata Delile in natural condition and was evaluated the seasonal and space variation. The work was carried in North N of Havana between Quibú river and Jaimanitas river between March/96 and July/99. The samples were chosen in three zones with different characteristics as the protection to the surf and the contribution of nutrients coming from both rivers. A morphometric variation related to the longitude and the width was observed. The morphological analysis done is presented, keeping in mind the variations of these characters. The results show that the distribution of the specie is not uniform. The station near of the Quibú river was the most productive. The good time of the development of U. fasciata happened between January and June and the time of less development was between August and October. There was significative differences in the cover percentage presented in the different substrates. The rock substrate presented the highest cover percentage values. The morphology and the size of the samples of Ulva fasciata differ in the different natural conditions. The samples that grew near of Quibú river had the longest and narrow fronds and had different morphotype, in the months of maximum growth. In the area near to the river Jaimanitas presents as characteristic distinctive the long and wide fronds with the flat borders. The algae that grew in the area more far from the outlet of the rivers, they present characteristic intermediate morphotipic. The chlorophyll a and b and carotenoides changed with the sample month and the study stations.

Palavras-chave : Distribution; cover; pigments; morphometric; Ulva fasciata; Ulvaceae.