Epiphytic diatoms associated with red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) prop roots in Bahía Magdalena, Baja California Sur, Mexico

ABSTRACT

The first floristic inventory of benthic diatoms is provided for the Bahia Magdalena-Bahia Almejas lagoon system. Samplings were carried out during November of 1999. The oxydized samples were mounted permanently. Eighty six diatom taxa were identified, out of which 59 are new records for the Bahia Magdalena area, and 12 taxa are new for the Baja California peninsula. Taxa recorded previously as rare in other substrata are common or abundant on the epiphytic macroalgae of mangrove prop roots. Other species are mainly epipelic forms, while 24 are commonly found as tychoplankton in the area. Certain taxa appear to be characteristic of mangrove systems in general.

RESUMEN

Se presenta el primer inventario florístico de diatomeas bénticas para el Sistema Lagunar Bahía Magdalena-Bahía Almejas. Se hicieron muestreos en noviembre de 1999. En las muestras oxidadas y montadas permanentemente, se identificaron 86 táxones, de los cuales 59 son nuevos registros para el área de Bahía Magdalena, y 12 son nuevos para la península de Baja California. Táxones previamente registrados como escasos en otros sustratos son comunes o abundantes sobre macroalgas epífitas de raíces primarias de mangle. Otras species son principalmente formas epipélicas, mientras que 24 son constituyentes comunes del ticoplancton del área. Ciertos táxones parecen ser característicos de sistemas de manglar en general.