Ceratium Schrank (Dinophyceae) of the National Park Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, Gulf of Mexico , with a key for identification

 

Ceratium Schrank (Dinophyceae) del parque nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, Golfo de México, con clave para identificación

 

Yuri B. Okolodkov

 

Universidad Veracruzana, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Pesquerías, Calle Hidalgo núm. 617, Colonia Río Jamapa, Boca del Río, 94290 Veracruz, México. yuriokolodkov@yahoo.com.

 

Recibido en enero de 2010
Aceptado en mayo de 2010

 

ABSTRACT

The morphology of 33 species of Ceratium (38 including infraspecific taxa) was studied based on about 600 phytoplankton net samples taken from May 2005 through March 2008 at eight sampling stations in the northwestern part of the National Park Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, southern Gulf of Mexico. Short descriptions and synonyms are given for each species. Cell size variation with the mean and the standard deviation are given for most species. Twenty–three species are provided with affinities and taxonomic, nomenclatural or biogeographic comments. A dichotomous key for identification of all the species found is presented, and species are illustrated with light microscope photographs and line drawings. Ceratium dens, C. bigelowii, C. limulus, C. tripos f. tripodoides and C. declinatum var. angusticornum are new records for the Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Key words: Ceratium, dinoflagellates, Gulf of Mexico, key for identification, taxonomy.

 

RESUMEN

Se estudió la morfología de 33 especies de Ceratium (38 incluso los taxa infraespecíficos) con base en aproximadamente 600 muestras de red (20 µm) tomadas de mayo de 2005 a marzo de 2008 en ocho estaciones de muestreo en el sector noroeste del Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, la parte sur del Golfo de México. Para cada especie se dan descripciones cortas, así como la sinonimia. La variación de tamaño de las células, el promedio y la desviación estándar se presentan para la mayoría de las especies. Para 23 taxa se proporcionan notas sobre sus afinidades, al igual que comentarios taxonómicos, nomenclaturales y biogeográficos. Se incluye una clave dicotómica para la identificación, así como las fotografías en microscopio fotónico y dibujos a línea de todas las especies encontradas. Ceratium dens, C. bigelowii, C. limulus, C. tripos f. tripodoides y C. declinatum var. angusticornum son nuevos registros para la parte mexicana del Golfo de México.

Palabras clave: Ceratium, clave para identificación, dinoflagelados, Golfo de México, taxonomía.

 

INTRODUCTION

The genus Ceratium is one of the most common and widespread in marine phytoplankton, along with the genus Protoperidinium Bergh. In the southern Gulf of Mexico, 13 of the 28 most common dinoflagellate species belong to the genus Ceratium (Licea et al., 2004). Similarly, in the northern Gulf of Mexico, 13 Ceratium species were among the 30 most common (Balech, 1967). Due to the larger cell size of Ceratium species and their relatively well–known latitudinal geographic distributions, in many cases rather well delimited (Dodge, 1993; Dodge & Marshall, 1994), they have been used as biological indicators of water masses and currents (Frost & Wilson, 1938; Graham, 1941; Okolodkov, 1996). Ceratium has been suggested as an excellent, if not the best, dinoflagellate genus to use for biogeographic study and as a tool for defining ocean currents and temperature ranges and may be valuable in studies of global change (Dodge & Marshall, 1994). In the Gulf of Mexico, 70 Ceratium species (97 together with infraspecific taxa) have been recorded (Steidinger et al., 2009).

The taxonomy of Ceratium has remained extraordinarily stable since the end of the 19th century in spite of many important contributions to the morphology and systematics of this genus. Most Ceratium species have three horns; some have two. Recently a species with only one horn, the apical one, was described from a lake (Temponeras et al., 2000). Sournia (1986) clearly indicated the difference between freshwater and marine species based on the number of cingular plates. However, using genetic molecular analysis the genus was split into two, and a new genus designated as Neoceratium F. Gómez, D. Moreira et P. López–García for all known marine species (Gómez et al., 2010) was proposed. Traditionally, identification of species and infraspecific taxa within this genus is based on the shape of the cell and its parts (mainly antapical horns) in ventral or dorsal view and some other features of the theca usually shared by a group of species. This is the approach followed here in describing species belonging to the genus Ceratium according to Sournia (1986).

In the State of Veracruz some Ceratium species have been reported (Ochoa–Figueroa, 1978; Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor Navarro, 1982; Echeverría–Valencia, 1983; Hernández–Mendiola, 1988; Suchil–Vilchis, 1990; Guerra–Martínez & Lara–Villa, 1996; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998; Aquino–Cruz, 2002; García–Reséndiz, 2003; Legaría–Moreno, 2003; Estradas–Romero, 2004; Tejeda–Hernández, 2005). Zamudio–Resendiz (1998) mentioned 22 Ceratium species; however, she did not give separate species lists for the State of Tamaulipas and the State of Veracruz. Nevertheless, her data are considered in the present article as all them were for Veracruz. The only study (an MSc thesis) focused on the genus Ceratium in both Veracruz waters and the southern Gulf of Mexico was by Figueroa–Torres (1990). It includes numerous line drawings and photographs of 35 Ceratium species and infraspecific taxa found during three oceanographic cruises encompassing a month in general (18°15'–19°49' N, 93°39'–95°48' W).

To document Ceratium species found in the National Park Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano (NPSAV) and to provide a key for their identification were the goals of the present study.

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Phytoplankton samples were taken weekly with a hand net, 20 µm mesh and 30 cm mouth, from eight sites (stations) around the Aquarium of Veracruz in the northwestern part of the National Park Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano. Collections were made during the period from May 2005 through March 2008 as part of the monitoring program of the Aquarium of Veracruz (Fig. 1, Table 1). Some material was taken and examined from two additional stations sampled in November–December 2007 and in March 2008 (19°02'48.1" N, 95°49'25.4" W; 19°10'26.9" N, 96°01'1.3" W). At each station the net was towed horizontally for 5 min. at the velocity of the boat of ca. 2.5 knots to sample a superficial 30–cm layer. The samples were fixed with a stock formaldehyde solution to a final concentration of 4% and stored in 100–ml dark plastic bottles. To contrast the cells for an easier search and better photographs, a 0.2% Trypan Blue water solution was added to water mounts (Lebour, 1925; Taylor, 1978). About 600 samples were analyzed using a Nikon TS100 and an Olympus CKX41 inverted microscope for a Sedgwick–Rafter 1–ml chamber and an Olympus BX51 compound microscope for water mounts. The cells were photographed mainly with an Olympus C7070 digital camera. Line drawings were made from digital images.

 

About 90 publications, abstracts and theses on the phytoplankton and dinoflagellates of the Gulf of Mexico were examined, with special emphasis on the state of Veracruz. Extensive old and new literature containing illustrations were analyzed and cited. The works where the species are illustrated are marked with asterisks: an asterisk (*) indicates line drawings, two asterisks (**) indicate light micrographs, and three asterisks (***) indicate scanning electron micrographs. The cited literature is referred to a species in general, not to a given infraspecific taxon. Relative abundance was given according to the following criteria: extremely rare – found in <1% of the analyzed samples only occasionally (less than 25 cells were found in total), rare – encountered in 1 to 10% of the samples as rare cells, common – seen in 11 to 50% of the samples (normally as dozens of cells in a Sedgwick–Rafter chamber), and very common – found in >50% of the samples (dozens or hundreds of cells per chamber).

The abbreviations for cell measurements are as follows: L – total length measured from the furthest part of the hypotheca including the antapical horns; Wb – cell body width measured in ventral or dorsal view just in front of or behind the cingulum, not considering the precingular or postcingular membranes (the only measured width in the species with straight or slightly curved antapical horns directed backward; always measured using the 40x objective to avoid a large error); Wt – total width, considering the distance between external sides of the antapical horns directed laterally, forward or laterally–forward. Cells were measured in dorsal (DV) or ventral view (VV); to facilitate identification, drawings of two morphological cell types in both views are given in Fig. 2. Recently divided cells with undeveloped horns (Pl. 8, Fig. 1–8), teratologic forms (Pl. 7, Fig. 2) and microgametes (Pl. 7, Fig. 3) were avoided during measurements.

 

TAXONOMIC DESCRIPTIONS

Subgenus Amphiceratium Vanhöffen

1. Ceratium extension (Gourret) Cleve, 1900 (Pl. 1, Fig. 1 and 2; Pl. 10, Fig. 1).
Bas.: Ceratium fusus var. extensum Gourret, 1883: 52, pl. 4, fig. 56.
Syn.: Ceratium biceps Claparéde et Lachmann, 1859: 400, pl. 19, fig. 8.

Cells spindle–shaped, long. Epitheca tapers into a long apical horn and hypotheca tapers into a long left antapical horn. Left antapical horn markedly (about 1.5 times or more) longer than apical one, both straight or nearly straight. A reduced right antapical horn may be present. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. L 8151720 µm (1253.1±215.3 µm), Wb 25–35 µm (29.2±2.7 µm); n=21.

Affinities: C. fusus, C. inflatum, C. longirostrum.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Suchil–Vilchis, 1990; Zamudio–Reséndiz, 1998. Rare to common in NPSAV (Feb., March, May, July, Aug., Nov., Dec.).

References: Jörgensen, 1911*: 28, fig. 50a; 1920*: 43, fig. 31; Lebour, 1925*: 146, fig. 463; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 14, fig. 24; Schiller, 1937*: 380, fig. 419a, b; Rampi, 1939*: 304, fig. 11; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 24, fig. 11BB–DD; Kiselev, 1950*: 244, fig. 412; Silva, 1956*: 56, pl. 7, fig. 8 (f. strictum); Kato, 1957*: 14, pl. 4, fig. 10a–c; López, 1966*: fig. 12; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 32, fig. 56, 57; Wood, 1968*: 28, fig. 54; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 45, pl. 7, fig. 19; Hassan & Saifullah, 1974*: 85, fig. 10; Taylor, 1976*: 64, pl. 13, fig. 127, 128 (as C. biceps Claparéde et Lachmann, 1859); Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 10. pl. 6, fig. 9; Tester & Steidinger, 1979**: 28, pl. 10, fig. 61; Dowidar, 1983*: 12, pl. 2, fig. 5; Balech, 1988*: 133, pl. 55, fig. 1, 2; Konovalova et al., 1989*: 132, fig. 49(3); Licea et al., 1995*: 35, pl. 18, fig. 4; Konovalova, 1998*: 140, fig. 29(4).

2. Ceratium geniculatum (Lemmermann) Cleve, 1901 (Pl. 1, Fig. 3; Pl. 10, Fig. 2)
Bas.: Ceratium fusus var. geniculatum Lemmermann, 1899: 349, pl. 1, fig. 17.

Cells spindle–shaped, relatively long. The cell body is long, clearly constricted in the middle. Epitheca is inflated, in its distal part suddenly drawn into an apical horn and hypotheca tapers into a long left antapical horn, slightly curved. Apical horn positioned closer to the left side of the cell, notably deflected to the left at its base. A reduced right antapical horn is present. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum and also in front of the constriction in the middle of the cell body. L 310 µm, Wb 30 µm; n=1.

A new record for the State of Veracruz. Extremely rare in NPSAV (the only specimen observed was collected on 25 December 2005 relatively far from the shore at st. 2).

References: Karsten, 1907*: pl. 50, fig. 3a, b; Jörgensen, 1911*: 24, fig. 42, 43; 1920*: 34, fig. 24; Böhm, 1931b*: 43, fig. 37c, d; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 13, fig. 17; Schiller, 1937*: 375, fig. 414a; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 22, fig. 11J; Wood, 1954*: 279, fig. 197; 1968*: 30, fig. 60; Sournia, 1968*: 407, fig. 30, 31; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 28, fig. 43–45; Konovalova, 1998*: 137, fig. 28(9).

3. Ceratium bigelowii Kof., 1907 (Pl. 1, Fig. 4 and 5; Pl. 10, Fig. 3)

Cells spindle–shaped, long. Cell body is well distinguished, inflated, suboval. Epitheca tapers into a long apical horn and hypotheca tapers into a long left antapical horn. Apical and left antapical horns equal or subequal in length; apical horn slightly curved and the left antapical horn notably continuously curved. A reduced right antapical horn may be present. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. L 375 µm, Wb 30 µm; n=1.

Affinities: C. fusus. Unlike in C. fusus, in C. bigelowii the cell is markedly inflated in the middle, and therefore the cell body is well separated from the horns.

A new record for the State of Veracruz. Extremely rare in NPSAV (the only specimen observed was collected on 1 March 2008 relatively far from the shore: 10°02'43.1" N, 95°49'25.4" W).

References: Kofoid, 1907a*: 170, pl. 3, fig. 22; Jörgensen, 1911*: 25, fig. 44; Böhm, 1931b*: 43, fig. 37b; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 13, fig. 18; Schiller, 1937*: 376, fig. 414b; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 22, fig. K–M; Wood, 1963*: 39, fig. 143; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 28, fig. 46, 47; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 44, pl. 4, fig. 11; Konovalova, 1998*: 141, fig. 29(3).

4. Ceratium fusus (Ehrenb.) Dujard., 1841 (Pl. 1, Fig. 6 and 7; Pl. 10, Fig. 4)
Bas.: Peridinium fusus Ehrenb., 1834: 271, 1835.
Syn: C. seta (Ehrenb.) Kofoid, 1908: 387.

Cells spindle–shaped, long. Epitheca tapers continuously into a long apical horn and hypotheca tapers into a long left antapical horn. Apical and left antapical horns equal or subequal in length and slightly curved. A reduced right antapical horn may be present. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. L 243–580 µm (422.4±80.9 µm), Wb 15–25 µm (20.4±4.0 µm); n=22.

Affinities: C. extensum, C. inflatum, C. longirostrum, C. bigelowii. I preferred not to distinguish the two forms of C. fusus given in Steidinger et al. (2009) for the Gulf of Mexico.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Ochoa–Figueroa, 1978; Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982; Echeverría–Valencia, 1983; Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Suchil–Vilchis, 1990*; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998; Aquino–Cruz, 2002* **; Legaría–Moreno, 2003; Estradas–Romero, 2004. Very common in NPSAV throughout the year.

References: Ostenfeld, 1903*: 587, fig. 145, 146; Paulsen, 1908*: 90, fig. 123; Jörgensen, 1911*: 29, fig. 51–53; 1920*: 41, fig. 30; Lebour, 1925*: 146, pl. 31, fig. 1; Wailes, 1928*: 5, pl. 1, fig. 5, 6, pl. 12, fig. 21, 22 (a teratologic form); Böhm, 1931b*: 14, fig. 10c–f; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 14, fig. 25, 26; Schiller, 1937*: 378, fig. 418a, b; Rampi, 1939*: 303, fig. 12, 13; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 25, fig. 11EE, 13A–D; Kiselev, 1950*: 245, fig. 419; Wood, 1954*: 282, fig. 202; 1968*: 29, fig. 58; Kato, 1957*: 13, pl. 3, fig. 5a–c, 6a, b (C. fusus and C. fusus var. seta); Curl, 1959*: 306, fig. 116; Margalef, 1961a*: 81, fig. 26e–g: López, 1966*: fig. 11; Sournia, 1968*: 408, 32, 33, 34(?) (three varieties are illustrated); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 31, fig. 55, pl. 1, fig. 3–6; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 45, pl. 8, fig. 21a, b; Drebes, 1974**: 145, fig. 128a; Hassan & Saifullah, 1974*: 85, fig. 9 (C. fusus var. seta); Taylor, 1976*: 66, pl. 13, fig. 129, 130, 136, 137; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 12, pl. 6, fig. 3–7; Trégouboff, 1978*: 115, pl. 25, fig. 13A–D; Tester & Steidinger, 1979**: 28, pl. 11, fig. 63; Burns & Mitchell, 1980***: 150, fig. 3; Dodge, 1982*: 231, fig. 29C; Dowidar, 1983*: 11, pl. 1, fig. 8; Balech, 1988*: 132, pl. 54, fig. 5, 6, 8; Konovalova et al., 1989* **: 132, fig. 49(5–7), pl. 15, fig. 7 (three varieties are illustrated); Delgado & Fortuño, 1991***: 6, pl. 8, fig. c, d; Licea et al., 1995**: 37, pl. 3, fig. 2; 2004**: fig. 3, 12 (var. fusus and var. seta); Wiktor & Okolodkov, 1995*: 36, fig. 10a–c; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 472, pl. 25; Konovalova, 1998* ***: fig. 29(5, 6, 15), pl. 13, fig. 9 (three varieties are illustrated); Bérard–Therriault et al., 1999**: 164, pl. 83a; Avancini et al., 2006* **: 289, fig. A–D (var. seta); Hoppenrath et al., 2009**: 173, fig. 70b, c; Yongshui, 2009**: pl. 2, fig. 8.

5. Ceratium inflatum (Kof.) Jörg., 1920 (Pl. 1, Fig. 8; Pl. 10, Fig. 5)
Bas.: Ceratium pennatum f. inflatum Kofoid, 1907 (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv. Coll. 50, 6): 172, pl. 2, fig. 13.

Cells spindle–shaped, long. Epitheca tapers into a long apical horn and hypotheca tapers into a long left antapical horn; however, the cell body is distinguished, inflated. Apical and left antapical horns equal or subequal in length; apical horn straight or slightly curved and the left antapical horn more curved continuously or rather abruptly at its distal third. A reduced right antapical horn may be present. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. L 595–690 µm (634±39.3 µm), Wb 22.5–32.5 µm (27.4±3.3 µm); n=8. Rare in NPSAV (March, Oct.).

Affinities: C. fusus, C. longirostrum, C. extensum, C. bigelowii. The species is distinguished from the former three species by its more inflated cell body.

References: Jörgensen, 1911*: 25, fig. 45, 46, 48a; 1920*: 35, fig. 25; Böhm, 1931a*: 353, fig. 3, 4; 1931b*: 14, fig. 10a, b; Schiller, 1937*: 376, fig. 415a, b; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 23, fig. 11O–S; Kiselev, 1950*: 245, fig. 462; Wood, 1954*: 281, fig. 198; Silva, 1956*: 56, pl. 7, fig. 9; Kato, 1957*: 14, pl. 3, fig. 7; López, 1966*: fig. 10; Sournia, 1968*: 412, fig. 36; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 29, fig. 48, 49; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 46, pl. 10, fig. 25; Trégouboff, 1978*: 115, pl. 25, fig. 10; Dodge, 1982*: 231, fig. 29B; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 474, pl. 25; Konovalova, 1998*: 140, fig. 29(2); Yongshui, 2009**: pl. 2, fig. 9.

6. Ceratium belone Cleve, 1900 (Pl. 2, Fig. 1 and 2; Pl. 10, Fig. 6)

Cells spindle–shaped, long. Epitheca continuously tapers into a long apical horn. Hypotheca with two well developed antapical horns, parallel to each other. Left antapical horn about twice as long as right one. Widest region adjacent to the cingulum and occupies nearly all the proximal part of hypotheca. L 680–880 µm (729.5±100.7 µm), Wb 27.5–31 µm (29.6±1.5 µm); n=4.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998. Extremely rare in NPSAV; four specimens were found on 11 December 2007 at st. 2 and on 1 March 2008 at st. 4.

References: Jörgensen, 1911*: 19, fig. 28a, b; 1920*: 22, fig. 14; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 10, fig. 10; Schiller, 1937*: 369, fig. 407a; Rampi, 1942*: 222, fig. 2; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 19, fig. 8; Sournia, 1968*: 399, fig. 22; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 20, fig. 30; Wood, 1968*: 24, fig. 40; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 44, pl. 4, fig. 10; Taylor, 1976*: 58, pl. 12, fig. 119; Trégouboff, 1978*: 114, pl. 25, fig. 6; Tester & Steidinger, 1979**: 27, pl. 10, fig. 57; Dowidar, 1983*: 10, pl. 2, fig. 4; Balech, 1988*: 132, pl. 56, fig. 1; Delgado & Fortuño, 1991*: fig. 6B; Licea et al., 1995: 30, pl. 17, fig. 6 (also, referred by mistake to pl. 1, fig. 5, in which C. candelabrum is given); Yongshui, 2009* **: 8, fig. 8, pl. 1, fig. 5.

7. Ceratium longirostrum Gourret, 1883 (Pl. 2, Fig. 3 and 4; Pl. 10, Fig. 7)

Cells needle–shaped, very long. Epitheca tapers into a long apical horn and hypotheca tapers into a long left antapical horn. Apical and left antapical horn equal or subequal in length, apical horn being slightly curved and left antapical horn notably curved. A reduced right antapical horn may be present. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. L 268–690 µm (621.8±78.6 µm), Wb 17.5–32.5 µm (27.9±3.9 µm); n=29. Affinities: C. fusus, C. extensum, C. inflatum.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **. Rare in NPSAV (Jan. to March, May, Aug. to Dec.).

References: Jörgensen, 1920*: 37, fig. 26, 27; Böhm, 1931a*: 354, fig. 5; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 13, fig. 21; Schiller, 1937*: 376, fig. 416a, b; Rampi, 1939*: 303, fig. 9; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 24, fig. 11T–V; Wood, 1954*: 281, fig. 199; 1968*: 35, fig. 75; Silva, 1956*: 57, pl. 7, fig. 10; López, 1966*: fig. 15; Sournia, 1968*: 413, fig. 37; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 30, fig. 50–52; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 46, pl. 10, fig. 27; Hassan & Saifullah, 1974*: 85, fig. 8; Taylor, 1976*: 67, pl. 13, fig. 131a, b; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 14, pl. 7, fig. 4; Trégouboff, 1978*: 115, pl. 25, fig. 11; Dowidar, 1983*: 12, pl. 2, fig. 8; Balech, 1988*: 134, pl. 55, fig. 10, 11; Delgado & Fortuño, 1991*: fig. 6C; Licea et al., 1995**: 41, pl. 3, fig. 9.

Subgenus Ceratium (= Biceratium (Vanhöffen) Ostenf.)

8. Ceratium candelabrum (Enrenb.) Stein, 1883 (Pl. 2, Fig. 5; Pl. 9, Fig. 1; Pl. 10, Fig. 8)
Bas.: Peridinium candelabrum Ehrenb., 1860: 792, pl. 1, fig. 2, 3.

Cells with two robust or stout antapical horns, slightly divergent, left one slightly longer and sometimes thicker. Cell body is about twice as broad as it is high. Epitheca in the form of low cone, with well separated apical horn inserted eccentrically. Hypotheca between the antapical horns markedly inclined towards the cingulum. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. L 145–345 µm (243.0±52.2 µm), Wb 68–94 µm (78.0±7.0 µm); n=20. Chains of 2 cells were observed.

Note: Steidinger et al. (2009) reported two forms of this species for the Gulf of Mexico. The name of Ceratium depressum ascribed to Gourret (the only author, whose name appears in parentheses) given by Suchil–Vilchis (1990) for Veracruz should be considered a nomen nudum.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982; Figueroa–Torres, 1990*; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998. Rare to common in NPS–AV (Jan. to March, May, July, Aug., Nov., Dec.).

References: Paulsen, 1908*: 88, fig. 120; Jörgensen, 1920*: 11, fig. 5, 6; Lebour, 1925*: 143, fig. 45b, c, pl. 30, fig. 2; Böhm, 1931a*: 351, fig. 1, 2 (C. candelabrum f. eucandelabrum n. f. and f. hiemale n. f.), 24 (a teratologic form); 1931b*: 8, fig. 3a–d; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 8, fig. 6, 7; Schiller, 1937*: 364, fig. 401; Rampi, 1939*: 302, fig. 4, 5, 7 (three infraspecific taxa are illustrated); 1951*: 6, fig. 7 (a teratologic specimen); Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 17, fig. 6; Kiselev, 1950*: 242, fig. 408; Kato, 1957*: 12, pl. 3, fig. 2 (C. candelabrum and C. candelabrum var. depressum); López, 1966* **: 362, fig. 3, 4, 52, 56–58, 88, 89, photo 1(1, 2) (three infraspecific taxa are illustrated); Sournia, 1968*: 390, fig. 14–17 (two varieties are illustrated; a new combination C. candelabrum f. subrotundum (Ostenf.) Sournia is proposed); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 17, fig. 16–20; Wood, 1968*: 25, fig. 44; Hassan & Saifullah, 1974*: 84, fig. 1; Taylor, 1976*: 59, pl. 12, fig. 124–126; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 7, pl. 2, fig. 1–3; Trégouboff, 1978*: 114, pl. 25, fig. 4A, B; Burns & Mitchell, 1980***: 149, fig. 1, 2; Dodge, 1982*: 227, fig. 28A, pl. 7, fig. d; 1985***: 94; Dowidar, 1983*: 9, pl. 2, fig. 2; Balech, 1988*: 128, pl. 56, fig. 17, 18, pl. 57, fig. 4, 5; Delgado & Fortuño, 1991* ***: fig. 6I; 5, pl. 5, fig. b; Licea et al., 1995* ***: 31, pl. 1, fig. 5, pl. 17, fig. 8 (also, referred by mistake to pl. 17, fig. 9, in which C. pentagonum is given); Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 471, pl. 27; Konovalova, 1998*: 133, fig. 28(14); Avancini et al., 2006* **: 281, fig. A–H; Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 9, fig. 10, 11, pl. 1, fig. 7, 8, pl. 9, fig. 1A, B (var. candelabrum and var. depressum).

9a. Ceratium furca (Ehrenb.) Clap. et J. Lachm., 1859 var. furca (Pl. 2, Fig. 6; Pl. 9, Fig. 2; Pl. 10, Fig. 9)
Bas.: Peridinium furca Ehrenb., 1835: 574, pl. 2(2).
Syn.: Ceratiumfurca var. berghii Lemmermann, 1899: 366; C. furca var. eugrammum (Ehrenb.) J. Schill., 1937: 368, fig. 405a, b.

Cells with two robust antapical horns, parallel to each other or slightly divergent, parallel or slightly convergent, left one being about twice as long. Epitheca tapers into a rather long apical horn. Hypotheca between the antapical horns markedly inclined towards the cingulum. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. L 155–260 µm (214.0±28.6 µm), Wb 30–42.5 µm (35.9±4.3 µm); n=20. Chains of 2 cells were observed.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982; Echeverría–Valencia, 1983*; Hernández–Mendiola, 1988; Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Suchil–Vilchis, 1990; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998; Aquino–Cruz, 2002* **; García–Reséndiz, 2003; Legaría–Moreno, 2003; Estradas–Romero, 2004; Tejeda–Hernández, 2005**. Very common in NPSAV throughout the year.

References: Paulsen, 1908*: 90, fig. 122; 1931*: 76, fig. 46; Jörgensen, 1920*: 17, fig. 7–12; Lebour, 1925*: 145, pl. 30, fig. 3; Wailes, 1928*: 5, pl. 1, fig. 8, pl. 2, fig. 10; Böhm, 1931b*: 8, fig. 4–8; Steemann Nielsen, 1934* **: 9, fig. 8, 9, photo 1(5, 6); Schiller, 1937*: 367, fig. 404–405; Rampi, 1939*: 302, fig. 8; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 18, fig. 7; Kiselev, 1950*: 243, fig. 415, 416, 427; Wood, 1954*: 274, fig. 189a–c; 1968*: 29, fig. 57; Kato, 1957*: 12, pl. 3, fig. 4a, b; Curl, 1959*: 305, fig. 115; López, 1966* **: 371, fig. 6, 7, 68, 72, 92, 93 (C. furca eugrammun and C. furca Berghii), photo 1(5, 6); Sournia, 1968*: 395, fig. 18–20 (var. furca and var. eugrammun); Steidinger et al., 1967**: pl. 5, fig. e; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 20, fig. 21–29, pl. 2, fig. 7–12; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 45, pl. 7, fig. 20a, b; Hermosilla, 1973*: 62, pl. 33, fig. 1, 2, 7, 8; Drebes, 1974**: 145, fig. 128b; Hassan & Saifullah, 1974*: 84, fig. 2, 3 (var. furca and var. eugrammun); Taylor, 1976*: 60, pl. 12, fig. 109; Trégouboff, 1978*: 114, pl. 25, fig. 5A, B; Burns & Mitchell, 1980***: 150, fig. 4–10; Dodge, 1982*: 228, fig. 28C, pl. 8, fig. e; 1985***: 96, right fig.; Pesantes–Santana, 1978* (other varieties than var. furca): 11, pl. 8, fig. 1–3 (Ceratium furca var. berghii f. bergii López, 1966; with an orthographic error in the name of the form), pl. 4, 5 (C. furca var. eugrammun (Ehrenb.) J. Schill., 1937; with an orthographic error in the name of the variety); Dowidar, 1983*: 9, pl. 2, fig. 3; Balech, 1988*: 131, pl. 56, fig. 4–6; Konovalova et al., 1989*: 132, fig. 49(4); Delgado & Fortuño, 1991* ***: fig. 6D, E; 5, pl. 3, fig. a, b; Licea et al., 1995***: 36, pl. 2, fig. 7; 2004**: fig. 2, 8 (also as C. furca var. eugrammun); Wiktor & Okolodkov, 1995*: 34, fig. 9a, b; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 472, pl. 25; Konovalova, 1998*: 136, fig. 28(7); Avancini et al., 2006* **: 286, fig. A, B; Alonso–Rodríguez et al., 2008**: 127; Hoppenrath et al., 2009**: 173, fig. 70d–g; Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 12, fig. 13, 14, pl. 1, fig. 9, 10, pl. 9, fig. 2A, B (var. furca and var. eugrammun).

9b. Ceratium furca var. hircus (Schröd.) Margalef, 1961 ex Sournia, 1973 (Pl. 2, Fig. 7; Pl. 3, Fig. 1; Pl. 9, Fig. 3; Pl. 10, Fig. 10)
Bas.: Ceratium hircus Schröder, 1909: 213, fig. 2.

Cells with two robust, slightly divergent antapical horns, equal or subequal in length. Epitheca tapers into a rather long apical horn. Hypotheca between the antapical horns markedly inclined towards the cingulum. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. L 137–220 µm (166.7±11.3 µm), Wb 31–53 µm (36.8±4.3 µm); n=28. Chains of 2 cells were observed.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Guerra–Martínez & Lara–Villa, 1996**; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998; Aquino–Cruz, 2002* **; Legaría–Moreno, 2003; Tejeda–Hernández, 2005**. Common in NPSAV throughout the year.

References: Schiller, 1937*: 369, fig. 406; Margalef, 1961a*: 81, fig. 26c, d; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 45, pl. 9, fig. 24a, b; Tester & Steidinger, 1979**: 28, pl. 11, fig. 65; López–Baluja, 1980*: 5, fig. 2; Balech, 1988*: 196, pl. 69, fig. 6; Licea et al., 1995** ***: 37, pl. 2, fig. 9, pl. 3, fig. 1; Yongshui, 2009*: 13, fig. 15, 16 (var. hircus and var. sinicum Nie).

10. Ceratium pentagonum Gourret, 1883 var. tenerum Jörg., 1920 (Pl. 3, Fig. 2 and 3; Pl. 8, Fig. 1; Pl. 10, Fig. 11)

Cells pentagonal with two slightly diverging antapical horns. Antapical horns short, left one about 1.5 times longer. Epitheca in the form of low cone, with well separated apical horn inserted centrically. Hypotheca between the antapical horns markedly inclined towards the cingulum. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. L 120–210 µm (156.2±23.4 µm), Wb 46–55 µm (51.3±3.8 µm); n=21.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Ochoa–Figueroa, 1978; Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982; Echeverría–Valencia, 1983*: pl. 8, fig. 19B(?), non 19A (the cell illustrated in fig. 19A is likely C. minutum); Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Suchil–Vilchis, 1990; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998; Aquino–Cruz, 2002* **; Estradas–Romero, 2004; Tejeda–Hernández, 2005**. Very common in NPSAV throughout the year.

References: Jörgensen, 1911*: 20, fig. 31, 32; 1920*: 24, fig. 15–17; Böhm, 1931b*: 12, fig. 9b; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 11, fig. 12; Rampi, 1939*: 302, fig. 16, 17, 20 (two forms are illustrated); Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 20, fig. 10C, D, H–N; Kiselev, 1950*: 243, fig. 417, 418; Silva, 1952a*: 39, pl. 3, fig. 15; 1956*: 51, pl. 7, fig. 3, 4 (subsp. robustum, subsp. tenerum and var. turgidum); Gaarder, 1954*: 15, fig. 14 (as C. pentagonum f. tenerum (Jörgensen); Kato, 1957*: 13, pl. 4, fig. 9; Curl, 1959*: 306, fig. 120; Margalef, 1961a*: 81, pl. 6; López, 1966* **: 367, fig. 5, 59, 63, 90, photo 1(3, 4); Sournia, 1968*: 400, fig. 23, 24; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 23, fig. 32, 33; Wood, 1968*: 37, fig. 82, 39; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 47, pl. 12, fig. 31; Hermosilla, 1973*: 62, pl. 32, fig. 4–6, 8 (as C. pentagonum var. robustum (Cleve) Jörg.); Hassan & Saifullah, 1974*: 84, fig. 5 (var. robustum); Balech, 1976*: 90, fig. 12 (C. pentagonum ssp. grande Mangin, 1926); 1988*: 128, pl. 56, fig. 14–16, pl. 57, fig. 1–3; Taylor, 1976*: 62, pl. 12, fig. 111–113 (three varieties are illustrated); Trégouboff, 1978*: 114, pl. 25, fig. 7; Tester & Steidinger, 1979**: 29, pl. 11, fig. 70; Dowidar, 1983*: 10, pl. 3, fig. 1; Dodge, 1985***: 96, left fig.; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 15, 16, pl. 8, fig. 6, 7; Konovalova et al., 1989*: 136, fig. 50(4); Delgado & Fortuño, 1991* ***: fig. 6N; 6, pl. 9, fig. c; Licea et al., 1995* **: 44, pl. 1, fig. 6, pl. 4, fig. 5, pl. 19, fig. 7–9; 2004*: fig. 6; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 477, pl. 26; Konovalova, 1998* ***: 134, fig. 28(11, 12), pl. 12, fig. 6 (var.pentagonum and var. turgidum Jörg.); Avancini et al., 2006* **: 293, fig. A–D.

11. Ceratium teres Kof., 1907 (Pl. 3, Fig. 4; Pl. 10, Fig. 12)

Cells with a body with straight or slightly convex sides and slender, delicate horns. Epitheca triangular, with well separated apical horn. Antapical horns short, left one about twice as long. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. Theca not sculptured or only weakly sculptured. L 100–153 µm (129.7±15.8 µm), Wb 35–41 µm (38.4±2.4 µm); n=23.

Affinities: C. kofoidii, C. lineatum. C. teres is distinguished from C. kofoidii by its longer cells, usually with slightly convex sides of the cell body and poorly marked cingulum.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998. Very common in NPSAV throughout the year.

References: Kofoid, 1907b*: 308, fig. 34–36; Jörgensen, 1911*: 21, pl. 2, fig. 34, 35; Böhm, 1931b*: 12, fig. 9d; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 11, fig. 14; Schiller, 1937*: 372, fig. 409a, b; Rampi, 1939*: 303, fig. 6; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 21, fig. 11B–D; López, 1966* **: 371, fig. 8, 64, 91, photo 1(7); Sournia, 1968*: 405, fig. 28; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 24, fig. 34, 35; Wood, 1968*: 40, fig. 90; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 47, pl. 13, fig. 35a, b; Taylor, 1976* **: 63, pl. 12, fig. 110, pl. 40, fig. 484; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 17, fig. 9; Trégouboff, 1978*: 115, pl. 25, fig. 8; Burns & Mitchell, 1980***: 150, fig. 15; Dowidar, 1983*: 11, pl. 1, fig. 3; Balech, 1988*: 131, pl. 56, fig. 7; Licea et al., 1995**: 47, pl. 5, fig. 3; 2004**: fig. 5; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 478, pl. 26; Konovalova, 1998*: 135, fig. 28(13); Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 18, fig. 22, pl. 2, fig. 4, pl. 10, fig. 2.

12. Ceratium kofoidii Jörg., 1911 (Pl. 3, Fig. 5; Pl. 10, Fig. 13)

Cells with a body with straight sides and slender, delicate horns. Epitheca triangular, with well separated apical horn. Antapical horns short, the left being slightly longer. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. Theca not sculptured or only weakly sculptured. L 110–210 µm (141.6±26.8 µm), Wb 20–28 µm (24.4±1.6 µm); n=20.

Affinities: C. lineatum, C. teres. C kofoidii is distinguished from C. teres by its smaller size, straight sides of the cell body and a well marked cingulum.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Suchil–Vilchis, 1990; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998; Estradas–Romero, 2004. Very common in NPSAV throughout the year.

References: Jörgensen, 1911*: 23, fig. 38, 39; 1920*: 33, fig. 20; Böhm, 1931b*: 12, fig. 9c, e–g; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 11, fig. 15; Schiller, 1937*: 373, fig. 412a, b; Rampi, 1942*: 223, fig. 5; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 21, fig. 11H; Kiselev, 1950*: 244, fig. 409; Silva, 1956*: 55, pl. 7, fig. 7; Sournia, 1968*: 406, fig. 29; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 26, fig. 41, 42; Wood, 1968*: 33, fig. 69; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 46, pl. 10, fig. 26; Hassan & Saifullah, 1974*: 84, fig. 6; Dowidar, 1983*: 11, pl. 1, fig. 4; Licea et al., 1995*: 41, pl. 19, fig. 2; 2004**: fig. 7; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 475, pl. 25; Konovalova, 1998* ***: 137, fig. 29(8), pl. 13, fig. 5–8; Alonso–Rodríguez et al., 2008**: 128.

Subgenus Tripoceratium Kofoid

13. Ceratium hexacanthum Gourret, 1883 (Pl. 3, Fig. 6 and 7; Pl. 9, Fig. 4; Pl. 11, Fig. 1)
Syn.: Ceratium tripos var. reticulata Pouchet, 1883: 423, fig. 3; C. reticulatum (Pouchet) Cleve, 1903: 342.

Cell body covered with coarse reticulations in the form of ridges. Epitheca convex, cell body well differentiated from the apical horn. Right antapical horn arises immediately behind the cingulum and bends laterally–anteriorly. Left antapical horn bends around toward the dorsal side of the cell so that its distal part is directed ventrally–right. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 85–735 µm (422±223.1 µm), Wb 70–87.5 µm (81.3±4.7 µm), Wt 250–440 µm 333.6±73.2 µm); n=7. Chains of 2 cells were observed.

Note: Although Licea et al. (2004) consider this dinoflagellate species one of the 30 most common in the southern Gulf of Mexico, it is extremely rare in Veracruz waters, including NPSAV (March, May, July, Aug., Oct. to Dec.).

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990*.

References: Karsten, 1907*: pl. 50, fig. 4, 5 (as C. tripos reticulatum Pouchet var. contorta Gourret); Pavillard, 1916*: 19, fig. 1; Jörgensen, 1920*: 101, fig. 94; Böhm, 1931a*: 366, fig. 22 (as C. hexacanthum f. contortum (Lemmermann), 23; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 29, fig. 73; Schiller, 1937*: 421, fig. 462a–c; Rampi, 1939*: 308, fig. 44; 1942*: 227, fig. 710–712 (two forms are illustrated); Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 44, fig. 27F, G; Kiselev, 1950*: 254, fig. 438; Wood, 1954*: 306, fig. 462a, b; 1968*: 31, fig. 63; López, 1966*: fig. 38; Sournia, 1968*: 484, fig. 98 (six infreaspecific taxa are proposed, including a new combination C. hexacanthum f. pavillardii (Rampi) Sournia); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 72, fig. 140, 141; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 45, pl. 9, fig. 23a–c; Hassan, 1976*: 291, fig. 17a, b; Taylor, 1976*: 70, pl. 22, fig. 214, 215, 219; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 13, pl. 10, fig. 4, 5; Trégouboff, 1978*: 116, pl. 26, fig. 13, 14A, B; Tester & Steidinger, 1979**: 28, pl. 11, fig. 64; Dodge, 1982*: 236, fig. 30H, pl. 7, fig. e; Dowidar, 1983*: 20, pl. 5, fig. 6; Balech, 1988*: 152, pl. 69, fig. 1, 2; Konovalova et al., 1989*: 134, fig. 49(8); Delgado & Fortuño, 1991***: 6, pl. 7, fig. a–d; Licea et al., 1995*: 39, pl. 18, fig. 10a, b (as C. hexacanthum var. contortum Lemmermann); Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 474, pl. 27; Konovalova, 1998*: 164, fig. 36(1); Yongshui, 2009** ***: pl. 2, fig. 12, 13, pl. 12, fig. 1A–C, 2 (var. hexacanthum f. spirale and var. contortum).

14. Ceratium dens Ostenf. et J. Schmidt, 1901 (Pl. 3, Fig. 8; Pl. 9, Fig. 5 and 6; Pl. 11, Fig. 2)

Cell body almost triangular, with slightly convex sides of the epitheca. Right antapical horn about 3 to 4 times longer than left one, arises immediately behind the cingulum and bends laterally–anteriorly. Left antapical horn very short and bends laterally. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 152–290 µm (238.8±36.5 µm), Wb 64–83 µm (74.4±4.4 µm), Wt 190–265 µm (232.0±19.5 µm); n=20. Chains of 2 to 6 cells were observed.

Note: C. dens has been previously reported for the Gulf of Mexico only for West Florida waters (Steidinger et al., 2009), and thus it is a new record for the Mexican part of the Gulf. C. dens was also found in samples taken in 2009 near the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula (Okolodkov, unpubl.; F. del C. Merino–Virgilio, pers. comm.). The taxon presented by Balech (1988) for the SW Atlantic and by Licea et al. (1995) for the Mexican Pacific under the name of Ceratium dens is another species described later, Ceratium balechii Meave, Zamudio et Okolodkov (Meave del Castillo et al., 2003). The latter is conspecific with the taxon found in Ecuadorian waters under the name of C. tripos var. poncticum Jörg. (Pesantes–Santana, 1978: 19, pl. 13, fig. 3, 4) and in the Sea of Japan under the name of C. dens (Konovalova, 1998: 151, fig. 29(11).

Records in the State of Veracruz: A new record for the State of Veracruz. Rare in NPSAV (Feb., March, Sep., Nov., Dec.).

References: Karsten, 1907*: pl. 48, fig. 8a, b; Jörgensen, 1911*: 31, fig. 58, Böhm, 1931b*: 15, fig. 11a–e; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 15, fig. 27; Schiller, 1937*: 381, fig. 420a, b; Wood, 1954*: 284, fig. 204; Sournia, 1968*: 457, fig. 80; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 34, fig. 58, pl. 3, fig. 16; Hassan, 1976*: 287, fig. 1; Taylor, 1976*: 68, pl. 17, fig. 172; Dowidar, 1983*: 17, pl. 6, fig. 3; Gárate–Lizárraga, 2009** ***: 167, fig. 1–11, 13–17; Yongshui, 2009** ***: pl. 2, fig. 10, pl. 11, fig. 1A, B.

15. Ceratium ranipes Cleve, 1900 (Pl. 4, Fig. 1 and 2; Pl. 11, Fig. 3)

Cell body subtrapezoidal, with convex epitheca. Posterior membrane supported with strong spines. Right antapical horn arises immediately behind the cingulum. Antapical horns are directed anteriorly and are terminated with finger–shaped appendages. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 270 µm, Wb 55 µm, Wt 128 µm; n=1.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990*. Extremely rare in NPSAV (the only specimen observed was collected on 14 February 2006 at st. 4).

References: Karsten, 1907*: pl. 50, fig. 6, 7 (as C. palmatum Br. Schröder); Jörgensen, 1920*: 82, fig. 76; Böhm, 1931b*: 31, fig. 28–31; Paulsen, 1931*: 86, fig. 53A–C; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 24, fig. 58; Schiller, 1937*; 409, fig. 451a; Rampi, 1939*: 307, fig. 2 (C. ranipes Cleve f. palmatum (Schröder) Jörgensen); Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 37, fig. 19I–K, 20, 21A; Wood, 1954*: 299, fig. 227; 1968*: 38, fig. 84; López, 1966*: fig. 19, 20, Sournia, 1968*: 459, fig. 81, 82; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 60, fig. 110; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 47, pl. 13, fig. 33; Taylor, 1976*: 77, pl. 19, fig. 189–192; Trégouboff, 1978*: 115, pl. 26, fig. 10; Tester & Steidinger, 1979**: 29, pl. 12, fig. 71 (C. ranipes var. palmatum (Schröder) Cleve); Dowidar, 1983*: 17, pl. 5, fig. 5; Balech, 1988*: 142, pl. 60, fig. 8, 9, pl. 61, fig. 1; Delgado & Fortuño, 1991*: fig. 7H; Licea et al., 1995*: 46, pl. 20, fig. 1; Konovalova, 1998*: 148, fig. 30(12); Avancini et al., 2006* **: 297, fig. A–D; Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 53, fig. 61–63, pl. 4, fig. 2, 3A, B, pl. 14, fig. 2, 3 (three infraspecific taxa are illustrated).

16. Ceratium limulus Gourret, 1883 (Pl. 4, Fig. 3; Pl. 11, Fig. 4)

Cell body very robust, subquadrangular, with characteristic "shoulders", squared margins in the anterior part of the cell body, just near the base of the apical horn. Posterior margin of the cell is very convex. Apical horn very short and straight, well separated from the cell body, positioned centrally. Proximal parts of the antapical horns, which are also short, are directed laterally–forward; distally they bend, and both horns are situated very close to the cell body (the right antapical horn is attached to it) and are directed forward, finally becoming convergent. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. L 95–112.5 µm (103.8±12.4 µm), Wb 55–57.5 µm (56.3±1.8 µm), Wt 84–85 µm (84.5±0.7 µm); n=2.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990*. Extremely rare in NPSAV (the only two specimens observed were collected on 27 December 2005 and on 29 January 2008 relatively far from the shore, at sts. 2 and 8).

References: Jörgensen, 1911*: 57, fig. 122; 1920*: 77, fig. 72; Böhm, 1931a*: 361, fig. 13, 14; 1931b*: 31, fig. 27b; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 24, fig. 45; Schiller, 1937*: 407, fig. 448a–c; Rampi, 1939*: 307, fig. 19; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 35, fig. 19A; Kato, 1957*: 17, pl. 5, fig. 15; Sournia, 1968**: 458, pl. 1, fig. 5; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 56, fig. 103–105; Wood, 1968*: 34, fig. 71; Trégouboff, 1978*: 115, pl. 26, fig. 7; Delgado & Fortuño, 1991***: 6, pl. 6, fig. c, d; Licea et al., 1995**: 41, pl. 3, fig. 7; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 475, pl. 28; Konovalova, 1998*: 141, fig. 34(1); Avancini et al., 2006* **: 291, fig. A–F; Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 71, fig. 82, pl. 6, fig. 6, pl. 17, fig. 3.

17. Ceratium gibberum Gourret, 1883 var. dispar (Pouchet) Sournia, 1966 (Pl. 4, Fig. 4; Pl. 11, Fig. 5)
Syn.: Ceratium tripos var. megaceras Pouchet, 1883: 421, fig. C.

Cell body very robust, subpentagonal. Posterior margin of the cell is very convex. Epitheca is low. Apical horn moderately long and straight, strongly shifted to the left. Proximal part of the left antapical horn is directed laterally–forward and that of the right antapical horn is directed much more forward than laterally and then perpendicularly to the apical horn, just in front of the epitheca. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum. L 132–270 µm (201.0±97.6 µm), Wb 85–92 µm (88.5±4.9 µm), Wt 142–148 µm (145.0±4.2 µm); n=2.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990*; García–Reséndiz, 2003. Extremely rare in NPSAV (only two specimens were observed, those collected on 7 June 2005 and on 11 December 2007 at sts. 2 and 3).

References: Paulsen, 1908*: 75, fig. 98; Jörgensen, 1911*: 49, fig. 106, 107, 109; 1920*: 70, fig. 67, 68; Lebour, 1925*: 152, fig. 49; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 22, fig. 48; Schiller, 1937*: 397, fig. 436a, b; Rampi, 1939*: 306, fig. 24; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 33, fig. 17D–G; Kiselev, 1950*: 250, fig. 437; Wood, 1954*: 290, fig. 214a, b; ); 1968*: 30, fig. 61; Kato, 1957*: 16, pl. 5, fig. 17; Curl, 1959*: 306, fig. 117 (C. gibberum); López, 1966*: fig. 23 (C. gibberum); Sournia, 1968*: 446, fig. 73, 74 (two varieties are illustrated); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 46, fig. 76–78; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 45, pl. 8, fig. 22; Hassan, 1976*: 289, fig. 7; Taylor, 1976*: 84, pl. 19, fig. 187; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 12, pl. 9, fig. 1; Dodge, 1982*: 235, fig. 30F (C. giberrum); Delgado & Fortuño, 1991***: 6, pl. 6, fig. a, b; Licea et al., 1995*: 38, pl. 18, fig. 7; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 472, pl. 27 (C. gibberum); Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 69, fig. 80, pl. 6, fig. 5, pl. 17, fig. 1.

18. Ceratium vultur Cleve, 1900 f. vultur (Pl. 4, Fig. 5 and 6; Pl. 8, Fig. 7; Pl. 9, Fig. 7; Pl. 11, Fig. 6)
Syn.: Ceratium sumatranum (G. Karst.) Jörg., 1911 (incl. f. angulatum Jörg.): 73, fig. 154, 155, non 153.

Cell body very robust, somewhat trapezoidal. Theca strongly sculptured, with posterior membrane and membranes on the horns. Apical horn in the anterior cell of the colony thicker and longer than those in other cells. Right antapical horn bends laterally–anteriorly, arising immediately behind the cingulum. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 110–400 µm (182±116.3 µm), Wb 57.5–62.5 µm (59.3±1.9 µm), Wt 160–410 µm (280±56.9 µm); n=22. Chains of 2 to 5 cells were observed.

Note: Three infraspecific taxa have been found for the Gulf of Mexico (Steidinger et al., 2009).

Records in the State of Veracruz: Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982; Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998 (two forms were distinguished without their identification); Aquino–Cruz, 2002** (the cell illustrated in fig. 10 as Ceratium sp. is most likely C. vultur, judging from the proximal parts of the antapical horns). Extremely rare in NPSAV (March, Dec.).

References: Ostenfeld & Schmidt, 1901*: 167, fig. 20; Karsten, 1907*: pl. 48, fig. 13–15 (also as C. tripos robustum Ostf. u. Schm.); Dangeard, 1927*: 378, fig. 42b, c (as C. vultur Cleve and C. sumatranum Karsten); Böhm, 1931b*: 38, fig. 35b, c, pl. 1 (C. vultur and C. sumatranum); Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 27, fig. 65, non 66; Schiller, 1937*: 418, fig. 459a, b; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 41, fig. 23A–H; Wood, 1954*: 304, fig. 233a; 1968*: 41, fig. 94; Kato, 1957*: 19, pl. 7, fig. 24 (C. sumatranum f. angulatum); Sournia, 1968*: 480, fig. 96, 97 (four forms are given); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 68, fig. 131; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 47, pl. 15, fig. 39 (C. vultur var. sumatranum); Hassan, 1976*: 291, fig. 15a, b (C. vultur var. sumatranum); Taylor, 1976* ***: 76, pl. 22, fig. 220–224, pl. 43, fig. 511 (five infraspecific taxa are illustrated); Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 19, pl. 10, fig. 1, 2 (Ceratium vultur var. sumatranum (Karsten) Steemann Nielsen); Tester & Steidinger, 1979**: 28, pl. 11, fig. 73a, b; Dowidar, 1983*: 20, pl. 6, fig. 5; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 482, pl. 6, 28; Balech, 1988*: 151, pl. 67, fig. 1–4; Licea et al., 1995*: pl. 5, fig. 8 (f. sumatranum), pl. 20, fig. 5 (var. vultur); Konovalova, 1998*: 163, fig. 34(3–5) (three infraspecific taxa are illustrated); Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 49, fig. 57–60, pl. 4, fig. 1A, B, pl. 13, fig. 3, 4, pl. 14, fig. 1A, B (four infraspecific taxa are illustrated).

19. Ceratium lunula (Schimper ex G. Karst.) Jörg., 1911 (Pl. 4, Fig. 7; Pl. 11, Fig. 7) Bas.: Ceratium tripos lunula Schimper ex G. Karst., 1906 (Wiss. Ergebn. der Deuts–chen Tiefsee–Expedition auf dem Valdivia 1898–1899 2, 2, 2): 142, pl. 20, fig. 12, non al.

Cell body very robust, almost triangular, lacking a notch between the antapical horns. Posterior margin of the cell slightly flat. Apical horn straight, from short to long, positioned centrally, slightly inclined to the right. Antapical horns are long, directed laterally at their bases and then bent anteriorly so that in general they are parallel to each other or slightly convergent. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 350–470 µm (425.0±65.4 µm), Wb 82.5–85 µm (84.2±1.4 µm), Wt 320–330 µm (323±5.8 µm); n=3.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **. Extremely rare in NPSAV (Nov., Dec.).

References: Jörgensen, 1911*: 51, fig. 112–115; 1920*: 74, fig. 70; Böhm, 1931b*: 30, fig. 26; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 23, fig. 50; Schiller, 1937*: 399, fig. 439a, b; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 33, fig. 17J–N; Wood, 1954*: 291, fig. 215a, b; 1968*: 35, fig. 76; Silva, 1956*: 61, pl. 8, fig. 3–5; Sournia, 1968*: 450, fig. 75, 76; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 49, fig. 82–87, pl. 3, fig. 19, pl. 7, fig. 33; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 46, pl. 10, fig. 28; Hassan, 1976*: 289, fig. 8; Taylor, 1976*: 85, pl. 16, fig. 171, pl. 18, fig. 183 (two varieties are illustrated); Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 14, pl. 10, fig. 3; Delgado & Fortuño, 1991*: fig. 6M; Licea et al., 1995*: 42, pl. 19, fig. 5, non pl. 3, fig. 10 (the illustrated specimen is a misidentification; most likely it is C. tripos var. breve); Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 475, pl. 29; 150, fig. 29(10); Yongshui, 2009* **: 73, fig. 85, pl. 6, fig. 8.

20. Ceratium contortum (Gourret) Cleve, 1900 (Pl. 4, Fig. 8; Pl. 5, Fig. 1; Pl. 8, Fig. 6; Pl. 11, Fig. 8; Pl. 12, Fig. 1)
Bas.: Ceratium giberrum var. contortum Gourret, 1883: 35, pl. 2(33).
Syn.: Ceratium longinum (G. Karst.) Jörg., 1911 (Intern. Rev. d. ges. Hydrob. u. Hydrog. 4, Suppl.–Heft, 1): 54, fig. 119a, b.

Cell body subtriangular, with slightly convex posterior margin, lacking a notch between the antapical horns. Apical horn very long, emerges from the left half of the cell body, is directed anteriorly at its base and then bends to the right. Right horn twisted, with its distal part directed to the left in var. saltans (Pl. 5, Fig. 1; Pl. 12, Fig. 1) or it is S–shaped and directed anteriorly in var. contortum (Pl. 4, Fig. 8; Pl. 11, Fig. 8). Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 232–740 µm (417.6±112.7 µm), Wb 52–85 µm (72.7±5.8 µm), Wt 182–250 µm (210.4±16.1 µm); n=25.

Note: Four varieties and one form of this species have been reported for the Gulf of Mexico (Steidinger et al., 2009).

Records in the State of Veracruz: Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982 (also as C. longinum); Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998; García–Reséndiz, 2003. Common in NPSAV (March to Dec.).

References: Jörgensen, 1911*: 55, fig. 120; Böhm, 1931b*: 23, fig. 20a–c (C. contortum var. saltans); Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 23, fig. 52, 53; Schiller, 1937*: 395, fig. 433; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 34, fig. 18D–N; Silva, 1952b*: 604, pl. 6, fig. 10; 1956*: 61, pl. 8, fig. 2; Sournia, 1968* **: 441, fig. 67–70 (non 71, 72), pl. 2, fig. 9; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 44, fig. 69–71; Wood, 1968*: 23, fig. 39 (the specimen illustrated as Ceratium azoricum is a misidentification and appears to be C. contortum), 26, fig. 48; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 44, pl. 6, fig. 16a, b; Taylor, 1976*: 81, pl. 18, fig. 179–181 (three infraspecific taxa are illustrated), non 184; Trégouboff, 1978*: 115, pl. 26, fig. 2; Tester & Steidinger, 1979**: 28, pl. 10, fig. 60; Balech, 1988*: 145, pl. 62, fig. 4, pl. 63, fig. 2; Hernández–Becerril, 1988**: 190, pl. 1, fig. 5 (C. contortum var. subcontortum (Schröder) Taylor, 1976); Licea et al., 1995**: 33, pl. 2, fig. 1; 2004**: fig. 19; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 472, pl. 27; Konovalova, 1998*: 152, fig. 32(2, 6) (also as C. longinum Karst.); Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 64, fig. 73, 75, 76, pl. 6, fig. 1A, B, 2, pl. 16, fig. 2, 3A, B (three infraspecific taxa are illustrated), 72, fig. 84 (as C. longinum).

21. Ceratium karstenii Pavillard, 1907 (Pl. 5, Fig. 2; Pl. 12, Fig. 2)
Syn.: Ceratium arcuatum Cleve, 1900: 13, pl. 7, fig. 11; Ceratium contortum var. karstenii (Pavillard) Sournia, 1966: 1981.

Cell body robust, subtriangular, with slightly convex posterior margin, lacking a notch between the antapical horns, longer than wide. Apical horn very long, somewhat curved at its base. Antapical horns are directed anteriorly. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 410–723 µm (508.5±89.7 µm), Wb 75–93.5 µm (85.6±4.8 µm), Wt 220–460 µm (284±47.9 µm); n=25.

Affinities: The species is similar to C. contortum, and some authors consider them conspecific. According to Balech (1988), C. karstenii is distinguished from the latter by a more robust and wider cell body and the absence of torsion in the right antapical horn.

Note: Licea et al. (2004) consider this dinoflagellate species one of the 30 most common in the Gulf of Mexico; however, it is rare in Veracruz waters, including NPSAV (Feb., March, Apr., June, July, Nov., Dec.).

References: Karsten, 1907*: pl. 48, fig. 4, 6a–c (as C. arcuatum Gourret, C. arcatum var. robusta n. var. and C. tripos Schrankii Kofoid); Jörgensen, 1911*: 53, fig. 116, 117; 1920*: 75, fig. 71; Böhm, 1931b*: 26, fig. 23–25 (C. arcatum var. robustum); Paulsen, 1931*: 84, fig. 52A–C; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 23, fig. 51; Schiller, 1937*: 393, fig. 431a, b; Rampi, 1939*: 306, fig. 18; Kiselev, 1950*: 249, fig. 463, 512; Wood, 1954*: 289, fig. 211a, b; 1968*: 33, fig. 68; Silva, 1956*: 56, pl. 7, fig. 9; Sournia, 1968* **: 442, fig. 71, 72, pl. 3, fig. 10 (as C. contortum var. robustum and C. contortum var. Karstenii); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 42, fig. 67, 68; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 45, pl. 6, fig. 17a, pl. 7, fig. 17b; Hassan, 1976*: 289, fig. 6 (as C. contortum var. karstenii); Taylor, 1976*: 82, pl. 18, fig. 184; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 8, pl. 5, fig. 3, 4 (as C. contortum var. karstenü; with an orthographic error in the name of the variety); Trégouboff, 1978*: 116, pl. 25, fig. 16; Dowidar, 1983*: 16, pl. 4, fig. 6; Balech, 1988*: 144, pl. 62, fig. 3, pl. 63, fig. 1, 6; Delgado & Fortuño, 1991*: fig. 7F; Licea et al., 1995**: 33, pl. 2, fig. 2 (as C. contortum var. karstenii); Konovalova, 1998*: 151, fig. 29 (f. karstenii and f. robustum (Karst.) Jörg.); Yongshui, 2009* **: 65, fig. 74, pl. 5, fig. 7.

22. Ceratium euarcatum Jörg., 1920 (Pl. 5, Fig. 3; Pl. 12, Fig. 3)

Cell body delicate, subtriangular, longer than it is wide. Posterior margin of the cell is convex, very oblique in relation to the apical horn. Apical horn rather long, slightly curved, positioned centrally. Proximal part of left antapical horn is directed laterally, and that of the right horn is directed laterally–forward; distally they bend continuously and are directed anteriorly, being slightly convergent. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum or to the antapical horns. L 180–285 µm (226.6±28.8 µm), Wb 47.5–56.5 µm (52.8±3.0 µm), Wt 113–250 (153.2±27.1 µm); n=28.

Affinities: The species is distinguished from C. symetricum by the very oblique posterior margin of the cell.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **. Rare in NPSAV (March to Aug., Dec.)

References: Jörgensen, 1920*: 56, fig. 54; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 18, fig. 38; Schiller, 1937*: 402, fig. 443; Rampi, 1939*: 306, fig. 30; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 28, fig. 15M, N; Wood, 1954*: 294, fig. 220; 1968*: 28, fig. 53; Margalef, 1961b*: 140, fig. 3/7; López, 1966*: fig. 31; Sournia, 1968*: 436, fig. 64, 65; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 53, fig. 94; Taylor, 1976*: 83, pl. 15, fig. 155, 157, 159; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 9, pl. 5, fig. 1, 2; Licea et al., 1995**: 35, pl. 2, fig. 5; Yongshui, 2009* **: 69, fig. 79, pl. 6, fig. 4.

23. Ceratium tripos (O. F. Müll.) Nitzsch, 1817 (Pl. 5, Fig. 4–6; Pl. 7, Fig. 3; Pl. 8, Fig. 3 and 8; Pl. 9, Fig. 8; Pl. 12, Fig. 4–6)
Bas.: Cercaria tripos O. F. Müller, 1777: 206; 1786: 136, pl. 19(22).

Cell body subtriangular, its length is equal to or slightly exceeds its width, lacking a notch between the antapical horns. Posterior margin of the cell slightly convex. Apical horn straight, from short to long, positioned subcentrally, slightly inclined to the right. Antapical horns rather short, directed laterally at their bases and then bent anteriorly. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. Chains of 2 to 3 cells were observed.

Note: Five varieties and one form have been reported for the Gulf of Mexico (Steidinger et al., 2009). Microgametes 72–77 µm long and 37–40 µm wide, formed by depauperating divisions (sometimes called degenerate forms in the old literature), presumably belonging to C. tripos (see Hoppenrath et al., 2009: fig. 71f–h), were observed twice (Pl. 7, Fig. 3). A teratologic cell with a peculiar apical horn was found.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982; Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Estradas–Romero, 2004 (as C. pentagonum var. atlanticus); Tejeda–Hernández, 2005** (as C. tripos tripodioides; the specimen in the photograph does not correspond to var. tripodoides). Very common in NPSAV, throughout the year.

References: Ostenfeld, 1903*: 583, fig. 132–134 (two forms are illustrated); Paulsen, 1907*: 21, fig. 30, 31 (two forms are illustrated); 1908*: 77, fig. 102–107; 1931*: 78, fig. 47A–F; Jörgensen, 1911*: 35, fig. 1, 2, 65–79; 1920*: 46, fig. 33–39 (C. tripos), 40–53 (C. pulchellum); Lebour, 1925*: 148, fig. 32, 33; Wailes, 1928*: 5, pl. 1, fig. 4, pl. 3, fig. 1 (as C. tripos var. atlantica); Böhm, 1931a*: 356, fig. 7–10, 33–35 (six taxa are illustrated including three new forms); 1931b*: 15, fig. 12–16 (C. tripos and C. pulchellum), 38 (C. pulchellum var. indicum n. var.); Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 17, fig. 32, 33; Schiller, 1937*: 382, fig. 383, 385; Schiller, 1937*: 401, fig. 441a–d; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 25, fig. 13E–N, 14B–F; Kiselev, 1950*: 246, fig. 428, 431, 432, 440, 442; Kato, 1957*: 15, pl. 4, fig. 12a, b, 13a, b (C. tripos and C. tripos f. neglecta (Ostenfeld) Paulsen); Curl, 1959*: 306, fig. 121, 123 (C. tripos var. atlanticum Ostenfeld and C. pulchellum Schroeder); Margalef, 1961a*: 81, fig. 26j, pl. 6, 7; López, 1966* **: fig. 33–36, photo 2(1–3) (four infraspecific taxa are illustrated); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 35, fig. 59, pl. 3, fig. 17, 18; Wood, 1968*: 41, fig. 92, 93 (also as C. tripos var.pulchellum (Schröder) nov. comb.); Hermosilla, 1973*: 65, pl. 33, fig. 5; Drebes, 1974**: 148, fig. 130; Hassan, 1976*: 287, fig. 2 (C. tripos var. atlanticum); Taylor, 1976*: 88, pl. 14, fig. 147, 149–151, pl. 16, fig. 168–170; Trégouboff, 1978*: 116, pl. 25, fig. 14A, B; Burns & Mitchell, 1982***: 64, fig. 17–22 (three infraspecific taxa are figured); Dodge, 1982*: 234, fig. 30A–D; Dowidar, 1983*: 13, pl. 2, fig. 9; Balech, 1988*: 138, pl. 58, fig. 1–7, pl. 59, fig. 1–6, pl. 60, fig. 1, 2; Konovalova et al., 1989* ***: 136, fig. 51(1), pl. 23, fig. 6–8 (var. balticum Schütt); Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 47, pl. 15, fig. 40 (?) (as Ceratium sp.); Delgado & Fortuño, 1991* ***: fig. 7C; 6, pl. 3, fig. c, d; Licea et al., 1995* **: 48, pl. 5, fig. 5a, b, 7, pl. 20, fig. 4 (the taxon given as C. tripos var.ponticum Jörgensen in pl. 5, fig. 6a–c, is C. balechii; see the note to C. dens); 2004**: fig. 22; Wiktor & Okolodkov, 1995*: 44, fig. 14a, b; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 478, pl. 26; Konovalova, 1998* ***: 142, fig. 30(2, 4–6, 8), 31(5), pl. 13, fig. 3, 4 (five infraspecific taxa are illustrated); Bérard–Therriault et al., 1999**: 165, pl. 82b (C. tripos var. atlanticum Ostenfeld, 1903); Avancini et al., 2006* **: 303, fig. A, B; 295, fig. A, B (C. pulchellum); Hoppenrath et al., 2009** ***: 175, fig. 71a–l; Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 77, fig. 89–92, pl. 7, fig. 3–6, pl. 18, fig. 1–3 (four infraspecific taxa are illustrated).

var. tripos (Pl. 5, Fig. 4; Pl. 8, Fig. 8; Pl. 12, Fig. 4)

Cell body is as long as wide, without a depression between the posterior margin of the cell body and the right antapical horn. L 120–248 µm (192.5±42.7 µm), Wb 66–83 µm (74.2±5.0 µm), Wt 150–200 µm (168.6±13.0 µm); n=25.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Ochoa–Figueroa, 1978 (as Ceratium tripos); Hernández–Mendiola, 1988 (as C. tripos); Suchil–Vilchis, 1990* (as C. tripos); Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998 (var. tripos and var. pulchellum).

References: Balech, 1988*: 139, fig. 1–6; Yongshui, 2009* **: 77, fig. 89, pl. 7, fig. 3.

var. breve Ostenf. et J. Schmidt, 1901 (Pl. 5, Fig. 5; Pl. 12, Fig. 5)
Syn.: Ceratium breve (Ostenf. et J. Schmidt) Schröder, 1906: 358.

Cell body is as long as wide, larger than in other varieties, without a depression between the posterior margin of the cell body and the right antapical horn. L 125 µm, Wb 83–88 µm (85.3±3.2 µm), Wt 145–175 µm (160±21.2 µm); n=2.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982; Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998; Aquino–Cruz, 2002**: fig. 2, non pl.1, fig. 2 (a very schematic line drawing in pl. 1 is more similar to C. symetricum var. symetricum than to C. tripos var. breve); Tejeda–Hernández, 2005**.

References: Jörgensen, 1911*: 40, fig. 84; Böhm, 1931b*: 18, fig. 17, 18; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 18, fig. 35, 36; Schiller, 1937*: 391, fig. 429a, b; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 27, fig. 14G–P; Wood, 1954*: 288, fig. 209a, b; 1968*: 24, fig. 42; Schiller, 1937*: 401, fig. 441a–d; Sournia, 1968* **: 416, fig. 40–45, pl. 2, fig. 7 (seven infraspecific taxa are indicated); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 40, fig. 62, 63, pl. 3, fig. 13–15; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 47, pl. 14, fig. 37a, pl. 15, fig. 38a, b (var. atlanticum and var. ponticum); Hassan, 1976*: 287, fig. 3, 4 (C. breve var. parallelum); Taylor, 1976*: 80, pl. 14, fig. 141, 142, 146; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 7, pl. 3, fig. 3, 4; Burns & Mitchell, 1982***: 60, fig. 6–10; Dowidar, 1983*: 13, pl. 2, fig. 10, pl. 3, fig. 12; Balech, 1988*: 140, pl. 60, fig. 1, 2; Hernández–Becerril, 1988**: 188, pl. 1, fig. 6; Konovalova, 1998*: 146, fig. 30(5); Licea et al., 2004***: fig. 9; Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 61, fig. 69, pl. 5, fig. 4, pl. 15, fig. 3 (as C. breve var. breve).

f. tripodoides Jörg., 1920 emend. Paulsen, 1931 (Pl. 5, Fig. 6; Pl. 8, Fig. 3; Pl. 12, Fig. 6)
Syn.: Ceratium tripodoides (Jörg.) Ostenf. et J. Schmidt, 1901: 15, fig. 28; Ceratium pulchellum f. tripodoides Jörg., 1920: 50, fig. 41, 42, 45; Ceratium tripos var. tripodoides (Jörg.) Paulsen, 1931: 78, fig. 47.

Cell body slightly longer than wide, with a shallow depression between the posterior margin of the cell body and the right antapical horn. L 138–346 µm (276.1±40.3 µm), Wb 60–71 µm (65.5±4.5 µm), Wt 145–203 µm (172.9±15.0 µm); n=21.

Note: This variety is reported here for the first time for the Gulf of Mexico. Var. tripodoides and var. atlanticum (Ostenf.) Paulsen are very similar (Sournia, 1968: 419), and are likely to be synonyms.

References: Paulsen, 1931*: 78, fig. 47A–F; López, 1966*: fig. 34; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 18, fig. pl. 12, fig. 5 (as Ceratium tripos var. tripoides); Konovalova, 1998*: 144, fig. 30(4); Yongshui, 2009* ***: 81, fig. 93, pl. 18, fig. 3 (as C. tripodioides).

24. Ceratium azoricum Cleve, 1900 (Pl. 5, Fig. 7; Pl. 12, Fig. 7)

Cell body subglobular, with convex posterior margin, lacking a notch between the antapical horns. Apical horn very short, positioned centrally. Antapical horns relatively short, continuously curved and directed anteriorly. Right antapical horn is positioned very close to the cell body. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 90–115 µm (100.7±7.1 µm), Wb 42.5–50 (45.1±2.3 µm), Wt 56–92.5 µm (77.0±9.4 µm); n=21.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990*. Rare to common in NPSAV (Feb., March, July, Aug., Nov., Dec.).

References: Karsten, 1907*: pl. 48, fig. 1a, b; Paulsen, 1908*: 76, fig. 99; Jörgensen, 1911*: 47, fig. 97, 98; 1920*: 69, fig. 66; Lebour, 1925*: 151, fig. 48; Wailes, 1928*: 5, pl. 1, fig. 3; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 20. fig. 43; Schiller, 1937*: 406, fig. 447; Rampi, 1939*: 307, fig. 25; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 30, fig. 16M–P; Kiselev, 1950*: 252, fig. 413; Wood, 1954*: 295, fig. 222a, b; López, 1966*: fig. 26; Sournia, 1968*: 435, fig. 58; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 56, fig. 102; Hermosilla, 1973*: 67, pl. 36, fig. 1–4; Hassan, 1976*: 289, fig. 5; Taylor, 1976*: 79, pl. 15, fig. 160; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 7, pl. 2, fig. 4, 5; Trégouboff, 1978*: 115, pl. 26, fig. 6; Burns & Mitchell, 1982***: 57, fig. 5 (the specimens illustrated in fig. 2 and 3 as C. arietinum most likely belong to C. azoricum); Dodge, 1982*: 232, fig. 29F; Dowidar, 1983*: 14, pl. 4, fig. 7; Balech, 1988*: 137, pl. 57, fig. 6; Licea et al., 1995**: 30, pl. 1, fig. 4; Konovalova, 1998*: 142, fig. 29(13); Yongshui, 2009* **: 60, fig. 68, pl. 5, fig. 3.

25. Ceratium arietinum Cleve, 19 00 var. gracilentum (Jörg.) Sournia, 1966 (Pl. 5, Fig. 8; Pl. 12, Fig. 8)

Cell body rather delicate, with notably convex posterior margin, lacking a notch between the antapical horns. Apical horn short or moderately long, slightly curved at its base and distally straight, emerging from the left half of the cell body. Antapical horns are positioned at subequal distance from the cell body. Their proximal parts are directed laterally, distally they bend continuously, forming a semicircle. The distal part of the right antapical horn is perpendicular to the apical horn. Widest region adjacent to the antapical horns, also occupying the distal half of the cell body on the left side. L 140–243 µm (182.2±45.2 µm), Wb 52.5–55 µm (54.2±1.3 µm), Wt 140–163 µm (152±9.5 µm); n=6.

Affinities: C. declinatum (see the notes to C. declinatum).

Note: The species has been repeatedly reported for the Gulf of Mexico (Steidinger et al., 2009).

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998. Extremely rare in NPSAV (Jan., March, May, July, Aug., Dec.).

References: Karsten, 1907*: pl. 48, fig. 3; Jörgensen, 1911*: 48, fig. 102–105; 1920*: 62, fig. 60–62; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 21, fig. 45; Schiller, 1937*: 403, fig. 414; Rampi, 1939*: 307, fig. 28; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 31, fig. 16A–K; Kiselev, 1950*: 252, fig. 420; Wood, 1954*: 294, fig. 221a; 1968*: 23, fig. 37; Kato, 1957*: 16, pl. 6, fig. 21, 22 (including C. bucephalum var. heterocamptum Jörgensen); López, 1966*: fig. 27; Sournia, 1968*: 429, fig. 51, 52, 54 (three varieties are illustrated); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 54, fig. 95–97; Taylor, 1976*: 78, pl. 16, fig. 162, 165; Trégouboff, 1978*: 115, pl. 26, fig. 4; Burns & Mitchell, 1982***: 57, fig. 4, non 2, 3 (the specimens illustrated in fig. 2 and 3 are likely misidentifications, and they correspond well to C. azoricum); Dowidar, 1983*: 14, pl. 3, fig. 10; Dodge, 1985***: 93; Balech, 1988*: 143, pl. 61, fig. 4–6; Delgado & Fortuño, 1991***: fig. 6L; 5, pl. 8, fig. a, b, pl. 9, fig. d; Licea et al., 1995* **: pl. 1, fig. 3, pl. 17, fig. 5; Wiktor & Okolodkov, 1995*: 32, fig. 8a, b; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 471, pl. 27; Konovalova, 1998*: 149, fig. 30(10, 11) (f. arietinum and f. gracilentum Jörg.); Hoppenrath et al., 2009** ***: 175, fig. 71m–p; Yongshui, 2009* **: 59, 64, fig. 66, 72 (including C. bucephalum var. heterocamptum), pl. 5, fig. 2.

26. Ceratium symetricum Pavillard, 1905 (Pl. 5, Fig. 9; Pl. 12, Fig. 9)
Syn.: Ceratium gracile (Gourret) Jörg., 1911: 44, pl. 5, fig. 92–95.

Cell body with convex sides, sometimes slightly inflated on the left side, with notably convex posterior margin, lacking a notch between the antapical horns, slightly longer than wide. Apical horn rather short and slightly curved, positioned centrally. Antapical horns relatively long, continuously curved and directed anteriorly, positioned at about equal distance from the cell body. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum and the antapical horns. L 140–200 µm (169.2±13.3 µm), Wb 42.5–56 µm (51.0±4.8 µm), Wt 125–160 µm (138.2±13.2 µm); n=13.

Note: Two varieties of this species have been reported for the Gulf of Mexico (Steidinger et al., 2009).

Records in the State of Veracruz: Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982; Figueroa–Torres, 1990* ** (var. coarctatum (Pavillard) Graham et Bronikovsky); Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998. Extremely rare in NPSAV (Feb., March, May to Aug., Dec.).

References: Karsten, 1907*: pl. 48, fig. 7a, b (as C. tripos coarctatum Pavillard); Böhm, 1931a*: 358, fig. 11 (as C. gracile); Paulsen, 1931*: 82, fig. 49; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 19, fig. 40, 41; Schiller, 1937*: 401, fig. 441a–d; Rampi, 1939*: 306, fig. 27; 1951*: 6, fig. 6 (a teratologic specimen); Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 29, fig. 15H–L; López, 1966*: fig. 29, 30 (C. symmetricum and C. symmetricum coarctatum); Sournia, 1968*: 432, fig. 55–57 (three varieties are illustrated); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 51, fig. 89–92; Wood, 1968*: 40, fig. 89; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 47, pl. 13, fig. 34 (var. coarctatum); Taylor, 1976*: 87, pl. 15, fig. 152–154, 156 (three varieties are illustrated); Trégouboff, 1978*: 115, pl. 26, fig. 3; Dowidar, 1983*: 14, pl. 4, fig. 5, pl. 6, fig. 1; Balech, 1988*: 143, pl. 61, fig. 7, 9; Delgado & Fortuño, 1991* ***: fig. 7A, G; 6, pl. 5, fig. a; Licea et al., 1995* **: 47, pl. 5, fig. 1, 2, pl. 20, fig. 3; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 478, pl. 28; Konovalova, 1998*: 150, fig. 30(1); Avancini et al., 2006* **: 299, fig. A–C; Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 75, fig. 87, 88, pl. 7, fig. 1, 2, pl. 17, fig. 4 (var. coarctatum and var. orthoceras).

27a. Ceratium declinatum (G. Karst.) Jörg. var. angusticornum (Peters) F. J. R. Taylor, 1976 (Pl. 6, Fig. 1; Pl. 12, Fig. 10)
Syn.: Ceratium declinatum subsp. angusticornum Peters, 1934: 43, pl. 4, fig. 23b (invalid, see Sournia, 1973); Ceratium declinatum subsp. angusticornum (Peters) Graham et Bronikovsky, 1944: 32, fig. 17A–C (invalid, see Sournia, 1973).

This variety is distinguished from f. normale by the direction of the right antapical horn, the distal part of which forms an angle of about 90° with its proximal part, so that the distal parts of both antapical horns are slightly convergent. L 148–183 µm (161.6±13.7 µm), Wb 37.5–41.5 µm (39.1±1.7 µm), Wt 70–89 µm (82.0±7.4 µm); n=5.

A new record for the state of Veracruz. Extremely rare in NPSAV (Feb., March, Dec.).

Affinities: The species is morphologically similar to C. arietinum; however, the former has a subpentagonal cell body (the latter has a subtriangular cell body) and a more curved right antapical horn, especially in its distal part.

References: Taylor, 1976*: 83, pl. 16, fig. 164, 167; Yongshui, 2009*: 68, fig.

27b. Ceratium declinatum (G. Karst.) Jörg., 1911 f. normale Jörg., 1911 (Pl. 6, Fig. 2; Pl. 13, Fig. 1)
Bas.: Ceratium tripos declinatum G. Karst., 1907: 406, pl. 48, fig. 2.

Cell body delicate, subtriangular, longer than it is wide. Posterior margin of the cell is generally convex, almost flat near the right antapical horn. Epitheca is asymmetrically convex, much more on the right side than near the left one. Apical horn moderately long, slightly curved at its base and distally it is straight, strongly shifted to the left. Proximal parts of the antapical horns are directed laterally; distally they bend continuously and are directed anteriorly, being slightly divergent. Widest point adjacent to the cingulum or to the antapical horns. L 158–290 µm (177.7±27.0 µm), Wb 30–45 µm (39.4±3.1 µm), Wt 60–138 µm (111.5±20.0 µm); n=24.

Affinities: The taxon is very similar in shape to C. tripos var. tripodoides, but it is considerably smaller. The apical horn in C. declinatum is positioned markedly closer to the right side of the epitheca, whereas in C. tripos var. tripodoides it is centrally inserted. Also, it is similar to C. arietinum; however, C. declinatum has a more convex right side of the cell body.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Legaría–Moreno, 2003. Rare in NPSAV (Feb., March, May, June, Dec.).

References: Karsten, 1907*: pl. 48, fig. 2a, b; Jörgensen, 1911*: 42, fig. 87–89; 1920*: 66, fig. 63–65; Paulsen, 1931*: 83, fig. 50 (as C. declinatum Karsten var. majus Jörgensen); Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 22, fig. 46, 47; Schiller, 1937*: 404, fig. 445; Rampi, 1939*: 307, fig. 26; 1951*: 6, fig. 6 (a teratologic specimen); Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 32, fig. 16Q–T, 17A–C; Kiselev, 1950*: 249, fig. 425; López, 1966*: fig. 32; Wood, 1954*: 293, fig. 218a–c; 1968*: 27, fig. 50; Sournia, 1968* **: 438, fig. 66, pl. 2, fig. 8 (six infraspecific taxa are distinguished); Steidinger et al., 1967**: pl. 6, fig. b (as C. declinatum); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 54, fig. 98–101, pl. 4, fig. 20; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 45, pl. 7, fig. 18; Hermosilla, 1973*: 66, pl. 34, fig. 1–3; Taylor, 1976*: 82, pl. 16, fig. 163, 164, 166, 167; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 9, pl. 4, fig. 4, 5; Trégouboff, 1978*: 115, pl. 26, fig. 5; Licea et al., 1995***: 34, non fig. 3 (judging from the centrally positioned apical horn, most likely C. tripos var. tripodoides is illustrated); Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 472, pl. 26; Konovalova, 1998*: 149, fig. 30(9); Avancini et al., 2006* **: 285, fig. A–C.

28. Ceratium carriense Gourret, 1883 (Pl. 6, Fig. 3; Pl. 13, Fig. 2)

Cell body robust, subtrapezoidal. Posterior margin of the cell is flat and oblique, with a noticeable membrane near the left antapical horn. Epitheca is asymmetrically convex. Apical horn very long, straight or almost straight, centrally positioned. Antapical horns are very long. Proximal parts of the antapical horns are directed laterally–backward; distally they bend rather abruptly and are directed anteriorly–laterally or almost laterally, being strongly divergent. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 420–770 µm (613.4±116.4 µm), Wb 62–75 µm (69.7±3.5 µm), Wt 890–1415 µm (1129±150.6 µm); n=20.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **. Rare in NPSAV (March, May, June).

References: Karsten, 1907*: pl. 49, fig. 17, 18 (as C. tripos volans var. tenuissima Kofoid and var. elegans Br. Schröder); Jörgensen, 1911*: 68, fig. 147a, b; 1920*: 89, fig. 81, 82; Pavillard, 1916*: 17, pl. 1, fig. 4 (C. carriense var. volans); Paulsen, 1931*: 90, fig. 57A–D; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 26, fig. 64; Schiller, 1937*: 425, fig. 464–466; Rampi, 1939*: 310, fig. 35, 37 (two forms are illustrated); Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 39, fig. 22A; Wood, 1954*: 308, fig. 236a, b; 1968*: 25, fig. 46; Silva, 1956*: 66, pl. 9, fig. 5–8; Curl, 1959*: 306, fig. 122 (mistakingly identified as C. trichoceros, judging from the antapical horns); López, 1966*: fig. 47–49 (C. carriense and C. carriense volans); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 77, fig. 143, 144, pl. 7, fig. 36; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 44, pl. 5, fig. 14a, b, 15a, b (C. carriense and C. carriense var. volans); Hassan, 1976*: 291, fig. 18a, b (var. carriense); Taylor, 1976*: 69, pl. 20, fig. 200; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 8, pl. 3, fig. 5; Trégouboff, 1978*: 116, pl. 26, fig. 16; Dodge, 1982*: 236, fig. 31G; Hernández–Becerril, 1988**: 189, l'am. 1, fig. 4; Licea et al., 1995**: 32, pl. 1, fig. 9; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 471, pl. 29; Konovalova, 1998*: 156, fig. 31(6, 7) (var. carriense and var. volans (Cl.) Jörg).

29. Ceratium macroceros (Ehrenb.) Vanhoffen, 1897 var. gallicum (Kof.) Sournia, 1966 (Pl. 6, Fig. 4; Pl. 8, Fig. 4; Pl. 13, Fig. 3)
Bas.: Peridinium macroceros Ehrenb., 1840: 201.
Syn.: Ceratium gallicum Kofoid, 1907 (Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool. 3): 302, pl. 24, fig. 10–12.

Cell body rather delicate, subquadrangular, with nearly flat posterior margin. Apical horn very long, straight or almost straight, sometimes slightly curved in its proximal part. Proximal parts of the antapical horns are directed posteriorly, forming a deep notch between them; distally they bend rather abruptly and are directed anteriorly but generally diverge notably. Posterior membrane is well developed. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 260–470 µm (392±70.5 µm), Wb 47.5–55 µm (50.4±2.9 µm), Wt 220–400 µm (329.9±45.7 µm); n=21.

Note: Two varieties of this species have been reported for the Gulf of Mexico (Steidinger et al., 2009).

Records in the State of Veracruz: Ochoa–Figueroa, 1978; Avendaño–Sán–chez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982; Figueroa–Torres, 1990*; Suchil–Vilchis, 1990; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998; Estradas–Romero, 2004. Common in NPSAV, probably, throughout the year.

References: Ostenfeld & Schmidt, 1901: 167, fig. 19; Karsten, 1907*: pl. 49, fig. 26–28; Paulsen, 1908*: 81, fig. 109; 1931*: 87, fig. 54A–C (as C. macroceros subsp. gallicum (Kofoid) Jörgensen); Jörgensen, 1911*: 63, fig. 132a, b, 133; 1920*: 83, fig. 77; Wailes, 1928*: 5, pl. 11, fig. 17, 18, non 16 (the specimens illustrated in fig. 17 and 18 are likely misidentifications, and they correspond well to C. horridum); Böhm, 1931b*: 38, fig. 35a; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 25, fig. 59; Schiller, 1937*: 428, fig. 468; Rampi, 1939*: 310, fig. 42; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 37, fig. 21B–F; Kiselev, 1950*: 254, fig. 422; Kato, 1957*: 18, pl. 7, fig. 23; Margalef, 1961a*: 81, pl. 7 (as C. massiliense var. gallicum (Kof.) Jörg.); López, 1966*: fig. 16; Sournia, 1968*: 460, fig. 83–85 (var. macroceros and var. gallicum); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 79, fig. 149, 150, pl. 4, fig. 24, pl. 5, fig. 25, 26, pl. 6, fig. 29, 30; Wood, 1968*: 30, fig. 59 (as Ceratium gallicum Kofoid); 36, fig. 77; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 46, pl. 11, fig. 29a, b; Drebes, 1974**: 149, fig. 132; Taylor, 1976*: 72, pl. 20, fig. 198, 199, pl. 22, fig. 218; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 15, pl. 11, fig. 3; Trégouboff, 1978*: 116, pl. 26, fig. 17; Tester & Steidinger, 1979**: 29, pl. 11, fig. 68; Dodge, 1982*: 235, fig. 31A; Dowidar, 1983*: 17, pl. 7, fig. 5; Balech, 1988*: 146, pl. 64, fig. 1, 4; Konovalova et al., 1989* **: 135, pl. 23, fig. 3; Licea et al., 1995**: 42, pl. 4, fig. 1, 2; 2004**: fig. 14; Wiktor & Okolodkov, 1995*: 42, fig. 13a, b; Konovalova, 1998* **: 153, fig. 32(4, 5) (var. macroceros and var. gallicum (Kof.) Jörg.); Alonso–Rodríguez et al., 2008**: 129; Hoppenrath et al., 2009**: 178, fig. 72i, j; Yongshui, 2009*: 41, fig. 47.

30. Ceratium horridum (Cleve) Gran, 1902 (Pl. 6, Fig. 5–7; Pl. 13, Fig. 4 and 5)
Bas.: Ceratium tripos var. horridum Cleve, 1897: 302, fig. 2.
Syn.: Ceratium tenue (Ostenf. et J. Schmidt) Jörg., 1911 (Intern. Rev. d. ges. Hydrob. u. Hydrog. 4, Suppl.–Heft, 1): 77, fig. 163; C. intermedium (Jörg.) Jörg., 1911 (Intern. Rev. d. ges. Hydrob. u. Hydrog. 4, Suppl.–Heft, 1): 83, fig. 174–176; C. claviger Kof., 1907 (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv. Coll. 50, 6): 170, pl. 4, fig. 27.

Cell body relatively robust. Posterior margin of the cell oblique. Apical horn rather long, almost straight, positioned centrally. Proximal parts of the antapical horns are directed laterally, lacking a notch between them; distally they bend continuously and are directed anteriorly, being slightly parallel to each other. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns.

Note: Three varieties have been reported for the Gulf of Mexico (Steidinger et al., 2009). The taxonomy of the species is extremely complicated. Numerous infraspecific taxa of C. horridum are known. Furthermore, there is no agreement as to whether C. tenue is synonymous to C. horridum or a different species.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982; Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Estradas–Romero, 2004. Rare to common in NPS–AV (March, Oct., Dec.).

References: Ostenfeld, 1903*: 584, fig. 136–139; Karsten, 1907*: pl. 48, fig. 16 (as C. tripos buceros O. Zacharias), pl. 49, fig. 19–21 (as C. tripos inclinatum Kofoid and C. tripos inclinatum var. aequatorialis Br. Schröder); Pavillard, 1916*: 18, pl. 1, fig. 5, 6; Jörgensen, 1920*: 96, fig. 86–92; Lebour, 1925*: 155, pl. 34, fig. 2; Wailes, 1928*: 5, pl. 1, fig. 1; Böhm, 1931a*: 365, fig. 20 (as C. horridum var. tenue); 1931b*: 41, fig. 36a–g; Schiller, 1937*: 413, fig. 455a–c, 456; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 42, fig. 23I–L; Kiselev, 1950*: 253, fig. 430; Wood, 1954*: 300, fig. 230a, b, 231a–i; 1968*: 32, fig. 65; Kato, 1957*: 17, pl. 5, fig. 14; Curl, 1959*: 306, fig. 118 (the specimen given as C. macroceros is likely a misidentification, and the figure satisfactorily corresponds to C. horridum); López, 1966*: fig. 42, 43; Sournia, 1968* **: 474, fig. 91–95 pl. 3, fig. 12 (three infraspecific taxa are distinguished); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 63, fig. 113–128; Drebes, 1974**: 145, fig. 129a; Hassan, 1976*: 291, fig. 14 (C. horridum var. molle); Taylor, 1976*: 71, pl. 20, fig. 202, pl. 21, fig. 203–208, 211, 212; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 13, pl. 11, fig. 4; Burns & Mitchell, 1982***: 60, fig. 11; Dowidar, 1983*: 19, pl. 6, fig. 6, pl. 7, fig. 2; Balech, 1988*: 148, pl. 65, fig. 3–9; Delgado & Fortuño, 1991***: 6, pl. 1, fig. c, d; Wiktor & Okolodkov, 1995*: 38, fig. 11a, b; Licea et al., 1995* **: 39, pl. 3, fig. 3a, b, 4, pl. 18, fig. 11; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 474, pl. 28; Konovalova, 1998*: 158, fig. 31(2–4) (three infraspecific taxa are illustrated); Bérard–Therriault et al., 1999**: 164, pl. 83d; Hoppenrath et al., 2009**: 178, fig. 72a–g; Yongshui, 2009**: pl. 3, fig. 1–4.

var. buceros (Zacharias) Sournia, 1966 (Pl. 6, Fig. 5; Pl. 13, Fig. 5)

Cells with slender, usually delicate and thin, markedly divergent antapical horns. Antapical horns are much shorter than the apical one (3/5 –2/3 of the apical horn length). The posterior margin of the cell is not dentate. L 160–270 µm (211.9±30.1 µm), Wb 34–40 µm (37.8±1.8 µm), 130–240 µm (158.6±24.8 µm); n=21.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990* ** (as C. buceros var. tenue).

References: Karsten, 1907*: pl. 48, fig. 16 (as C. tripos buceros O. Zacharias); Rampi, 1942*: 226, fig. 9; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 44, pl. 4, fig. 12 (as C. buceros f. tenue); Trégouboff, 1978*: 116, pl. 26, fig. 20 (as C. buceros f. tenue (Ost. et Schm.) Schill.).

var. molle (Kof.) Jörg., 1911 (Pl. 6, Fig. 6 and 7; Pl. 13, Fig. 4)

Cell with coarse parallel, slightly divergent or slightly convergent antapical horns. All horns are subequal in length (at least in our samples). The posterior margin of the cell is often markedly dentate.

L 157–470 µm (241.9±67.9 µm), Wb 30–48 µm (43.2±3.6 µm), Wt 120–200 µm (163.7±18.4 µm); n=24.

References: Jörgensen, 1920*: 96, fig. 87; Rampi, 1942*: 226, fig. 17; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 42, fig. 23I, K, 25D; Hassan, 1976*: 291, fig. 14; Taylor, 1976*: 71, pl. 21, fig. 208; Balech, 1988*: 149, pl. 65, fig. 8, 9; Konovalova, 1998*: 158, fig. 31, fig. 4; Yongshui, 2009**: pl. 3, fig. 2.

31. Ceratium massiliense (Gourret) Jörg., 1911 var. armatum (G. Karst.) Jörg., 1911 (Pl. 6, Fig. 8; Pl. 7, Fig. 2; Pl. 8, Fig. 5; Pl. 9, Fig. 9; Pl. 13, Fig. 6)
Bas.: Ceratium tripos var. massiliense Gourret, 1883: 27, pl. 1, fig. 2.

Cell body robust, subtriangular, with nearly flat posterior margin. Apical horn very long, straight. The proximal part of the left antapical horn is directed posteriorly and that of the right horn laterally–posteriorly. A notch between the antapical horns is notable only near the right horn. Posterior membrane is well developed. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 285–650 µm (464.8±105.4 µm), Wb 67.5–78 µm (71.6±3.3 µm), Wt 280–540 µm (411.9±76.1 µm); n=21. Chains of 2 cells were observed.

Note: This species has repeatedly been reported for the Gulf of Mexico although without distinguishing infraspecific forms (Steidinger et al., 2009). A teratologic specimen, with the left antapical horn twisted and directed backward, was observed (Pl. 7, Fig. 2). It corresponds well to C. recurvatum Schröder figured by Taylor (1976: 74, pl. 21, fig. 209) who commented that "perhaps this taxon is a conglomerate of several species exhibiting a particular type of horn aberration". Also, it is similar to C. recurvatum in Yongshui (2009: 47, fig. 55, pl. 3, fig. 6) and to C. deflexum (Kof.) Jörg. in Schiller (1937: 428, fig. 467b).

Records in the State of Veracruz: Ochoa–Figueroa, 1978; Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982; Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **. Common in NPSAV throughout the year.

References: Jörgensen, 1911*: 66, fig. 140–142; 1920*: 85, fig. 78–80; Böhm, 1931a*: 362, fig. 16 (C. massiliense f. protuberans (Karsten), C. massilense f. ellipticum n. f. and C. massiliense amacroceroides); 1931b*: 35, fig. 32a–d; Paulsen, 1931*: 89, fig. 55A–F; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 25, fig. 60–62; Schiller, 1937*: 422, fig. 463a–d; Rampi, 1939*: 308, fig. 32, 33, 40 (C. massiliense (Gourret) Jörg. f. armatum (Karsten) Jörg., f. macroceroides (Karsten) Jörg. and f. protuberans (Karsten) Jörg.); Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 38, fig. 22E–L; Wood, 1954*: 306, fig. 235a–c; 1968*: 36, fig. 78; Kato, 1957*: pl. 6, fig. 18, 20 (C. massiliense and C. massiliense var.protuberans (Karsten) Jörgensen); Curl, 1959*: 306, fig. 119; Margalef, 1961a*: 81, fig. 26h, pl. 6, 7, 10; López, 1966*: fig. 51; Sournia, 1968*: 465, fig. 87, 88 (three infraspecific taxa are distinguished); Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 74, pl. 4, fig. 23, pl. 7, fig. 34, 35; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 46, pl. 11, fig. 30a, b, pl. 12, fig. 30c–e; Hermosilla, 1973*: 64, pl. 33, fig. 3, 4; Hassan, 1976*: 290, fig. 9–11 (var. massiliense and var. protuberans); Taylor, 1976*: 73, pl. 20, fig. 193–196; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 15, pl. 3, fig. 1, 2; Trégouboff, 1978*: 116, pl. 26, fig. 15; Tester & Steidinger, 1979**: 29, pl. 11, fig. 69; Burns & Mitchell, 1982***: 62, fig. 11–13 (the specimen illustrated in fig. 11 corresponds rather well to C. contrarium; see Sournia, 1968; Balech, 1988); Dowidar, 1983*: 18, pl. 2, fig. 11, pl. 8, fig. 1; Balech, 1988*: 147, pl. 64, fig. 6; Delgado & Fortuño, 1991***: 6, pl. 9, fig. a, c, pl. 10, fig. a; Licea et al., 1995* **: pl. 4, fig. 3 (f. armatum), pl. 19, fig. 6 (var. massiliense); 2004**: fig. 10; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 477, pl. 33; Konovalova, 1998*: 154, fig. 33(1, 2) (var. massiliense and var. armatum); Alonso–Rodríguez et al., 2008**: 130; Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 45, fig. 52, pl. 3, fig. 5, pl. 13, fig. 1.

32. Ceratium contrarium (Gourret) Pavillard, 1905 (Pl. 6, Fig. 9; Pl. 13, Fig. 7)
Bas.: Ceratium tripos var. contrarium Gourret, 1883: pl. 3, fig. 51.
Syn.: Ceratium trichoceros (Ehrenb.) Kof. var. contrarium (Gourret) J. Schill., 1937: 431, fig. 471.

Cell body rather delicate, subtrapezoidal, with nearly flat, notably oblique posterior margin. Apical horn very long, straight. Proximal parts of the antapical horns are directed laterally–posteriorly, forming a shallow notch between them; distally they bend continuously and are directed anteriorly, being in general slightly divergent or parallel to each other. Antapical horns are often undulating. Posterior membrane is poorly developed. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 353640 µm (443.1±89.7 µm), Wb 50–65 µm (56.8±4.2 µm), Wt 297–420 µm (354.4±35.8 µm); n=25.

Affinities: C. trichoceros. In comparison, C. contrarium has a larger cell body and a shallower notch between the proximal parts of the antapical horns. Furthermore, the epitheca is usually slightly lower.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998 (as C. cf. contrarium); Estradas–Romero, 2004. Rare to common in NPSAV, throughout the year.

References: Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 40, fig. 22E, 24A, B; López, 1966*: fig. 46; Sournia, 1968*: 473, fig. 90; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 82, fig. 148; Wood, 1968*: 26, fig. 49; Hassan, 1976*: 290, fig. 13; Taylor, 1976*: 69, pl. 21, fig. 213; Trégouboff, 1978*: 116, pl. 26, fig. 18; Burns & Mitchell, 1982***: 62, non fig. 15 (as indicated on p. 62); Licea et al., 1995*: 33, pl. 17, fig. 12; Konovalova, 1998*: 162, fig. 33(8); Yongshui, 2009*: pl. 2, fig. 11.

33. Ceratium trichoceros (Ehrenb.) Kof., 1908 (Pl. 7, Fig. 1; Pl. 13, Fig. 8)
Bas.: Peridinium trichoceros Ehrenb., 1859: 791; 1873: 3, pl. 1(1).

Cell body very delicate, subtrapezoidal, with nearly flat, notably oblique posterior margin. Apical horn very long, straight. Proximal parts of the antapical horns are directed laterally–posteriorly, forming a shallow notch between them; distally they bend continuously and are directed anteriorly, being in general slightly divergent or parallel to each other. Antapical horns are often undulating. Posterior membrane is poorly developed. Widest point adjacent to the antapical horns. L 182–380 µm (318.8±48.0 µm), Wb 30–45 µm (39.3±3.1 µm), Wt 230–340 µm (286.7±29.7 µm); n=23.

Affinities: C. contrarium. In comparison, C. trichoceros has a smaller cell body and a deeper notch between the proximal parts of the antapical horns. Additionally, the epitheca is usually slightly higher.

Records in the State of Veracruz: Figueroa–Torres, 1990* **; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998; Aquino–Cruz, 2002* **; Tejeda–Hernández, 2005**. Very common in NPSAV, probably, throughout the year.

References: Jörgensen, 1911*: 75, fig. 159a, b; 1920*: 95, fig. 85; Steemann Nielsen, 1934*: 27, fig. 68; Schiller, 1937*: 430, fig. 470; Rampi, 1939*: 310, fig. 39; Graham & Bronikovsky, 1944*: 40, fig. 22B; Kato, 1957*: 19, pl. 6, fig. 19a, b; Margalef, 1961a*: 81, fig. 26i, pl. 6, 8, 10; López, 1966*: fig. 44, 45; Sournia, 1968*: 472, fig. 89; Steidinger et al., 1967**: pl. 6, fig. c; Subrahmanyan, 1968*: 81, fig. 147, pl. 7, fig. 37; Wood, 1968*: 40, fig. 91; Steidinger & Williams, 1970**: 47, pl. 14, fig. 36a–c; Hassan, 1976*: 290, fig. 12; Taylor, 1976*: 75, pl. 12, fig. 117, pl. 21, fig. 210; Pesantes–Santana, 1978*: 18, pl. 13, fig. 1, 2; Tester & Steidinger, 1979**: 29, pl. 12, fig. 72; Burns & Mitchell, 1982***: fig. 16; Dowidar, 1983*: 18, pl. 4, fig. 2; Balech, 1988*: 150, pl. 66, fig. 4; Licea et al., 1995**: 47, pl. 5, fig. 4; 2004**: fig. 4; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997*: 478, pl. 29; Konovalova, 1998***: 162, pl. 14(1–4); Avancini et al., 2006* **: 301, fig. A, B; Alonso–Rodríguez et al., 2008**: 131; Yongshui, 2009* ** ***: 48, fig. 56, pl. 3, fig. 7, pl. 13, fig. 2.

 

DISCUSSION

The total absence of any species of the subgenus Archaeoceratium Jörgensen (Ceratium cephalotum (Lemmerm.) Jörg., C. praelongum (Lemmerm.) Kof. and C. gravidum Gourret) in the present samples can be explained by their preference for oceanic waters. Furthermore, they are umbriphilic (shade–loving, or shade species), preferring depths below 50–100 m (Steemann Nielsen, 1934, Graham & Bronikowsky, 1944; Taylor, 1976). Steidinger et al. (2009) report these species from the Gulf of Mexico. The first two species have been reported from offshore waters of the State of Veracruz (Figueroa–Torres, 1990).

Only a small amount of information about the species composition of Ceratium in Veracruz waters exists in a dozen BSc and MSc theses and one article in a periodical of very limited distribution. Three of the theses include very schematic line drawings or photographs of several species (Suchil–Vilchis, 1990; Aquino–Cruz, 2002; Tejeda–Hernández, 2005). Work on a Ceratium furca var. hircus bloom includes photos of this species (Guerra–Martínez & Lara–Villa, 1996). Thus, a robust critical review of existing records of the species of Ceratium in Veracruz water is impossible. Moreover, there are species never observed in our samples that have been reported by other authors from Veracruz–southern Tamaulipas waters: C. concilians Jörg., C. deflexum (Kof.) Jörg., C. lineatum (Ehrenb.) Cleve, C. longinum G. Karst., C. longipes (Bailey) Gran, C. minutum Jörg. and C. paradoxides Cleve (Avendaño–Sánchez & Sotomayor–Navarro, 1982; Figueroa–Torres, 1990; Suchil–Vilchis, 1990; Zamudio–Resendiz, 1998; Aquino–Cruz, 2002; Estradas–Romero, 2004). C. concilians can be easily confused with C. gibberum (e.g., see Böhm, 1931a: 379, fig. 36A–F), although Balech (1988) distinguishes them by a number of features. C. deflexum is morphologically similar to C. macroceros, and therefore some authors have probably confused them, according to Pavillard (1931) and Sournia (1968); others considered it a subspecies of C. macroceros (Jörgensen, 1911) or a form of C. massiliense (Peters, 1934). Identifications of C. lineatum and C. minutum are likely to be misidentifications, at least in some cases: confusion between them and C. kofoidii, C. teres and even with specimens of C. pentagonum with a short apical horn (all three species are very common in the NPSAV) are quite possible. C. lineatum is widely distributed, and it has an Antarctic–tropical–boreal range (Okolodkov, 1996). C. longinum is mentioned in the present paper as a synonym to C. contortum, in accordance with Graham & Bronikovsky (1944) and Taylor (1976). Wood (1968) treats it separately and also indicates the similarity between C. longinum and C. karstenii. As for C. longipes, it is a cold–water species and may be confused with C. horridum (Wood, 1968; Steidinger & Tangen, 1997; Konovalova, 1998), which is rather common in the tropical zone, making a misidentification possible. Its distribution seems to be limited by the temperate (boreal) zone in the Northern Hemisphere; it is characteristically absent in the classic monographs by Sournia (1968), Taylor (1976) and Balech (1976, 1988), and in the checklist of dinoflagellates of the Mexican Pacific (Okolodkov & Gárate–Lizárraga, 2006). C. paradoxides is a rare umbriphilic oceanic species (Balech, 1988) morphologically similar to C. limulus.

New records (Ceratium dens, C. bigelowii, C. limulus, C. tripos f. tripodoides and C. declinatum var. angusticornum) for the Mexican part of the Gulf of Mexico were mainly from an oceanographic station situated further from the coastline. In some samples C. dens was rather frequent. Although a recent extension of its original geographic range in the Pacific Ocean might occur (Gárate–Lizárraga, 2009), it is hard to say if it is true for the Gulf of Mexico. Because the so–called grey literature (in particular, theses) was considered in the present study, the percentage of new records is relatively low. On the other hand, the data presented here are generally in agreement with those taken from the revised theses.

One of the varieties of Ceratium tripos, var. pulchellum (Schröder) López ex Sournia (= C. pulchellum Schröder), reported by Figueroa–Torres (1990) and Zamudio–Resendiz (1998) was not observed in the samples from the NPSAV. This species was one of the most abundant, and it was difficult to distinguish between var. tripos and var. breve. The specimens of C. tripos var. tripodoides, easily distinguishable from others, were usually rare and occasionally were more frequent than the other two.

On the whole, the species composition of Ceratium in the NPSAV is very similar to that in any well–studied tropical or subtropical region (Sournia, 1968; Subrahmanyan, 1968; Wood, 1968; Steidinger & Williams, 1970; Taylor, 1976) and in particular to that previously reported (Figueroa–Torres, 1990) in Veracruz waters. It consists of about 67% of the number of Ceratium species reported by Licea et al. (2004) for the southern Gulf of Mexico (based on 11 oceanographic cruises and 608 sampling sites between 1979 and 2002) and approximately 47% of the total number of Ceratium species known for the entire Gulf of Mexico (Steidinger et al., 2009).

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The generosity of Guadalupe Campos–Bautista, responsible for the red–tide project at the Acuario de Veracruz, A.C., in providing samples is very much appreciated. The Acuario de Veracruz is thanked for logistic support. I am thankful to Marcia M. Gowing from the University of California at Santa Cruz, California, who kindly improved the writing style, and to Natalia Okolodkova and Boris Okolodkov who prepared illustrations for publication. Fany del Carmen Merino–Virgilio of CINVESTAV (Merida, Yucatan, Mexico) is thanked for technical support. I also thank two anonymous referees. The financial support of Dirección General de Investigaciones de la Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico (the project "Algas de la zona arrecifal Veracruzana, Golfo de México, con énfasis en las algas rojas, diatomeas y dinoflagelados"), in 2007–2009 is also appreciated.

 

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