Marine algae of Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, México

Abstract

Benthic marine algae were taken in the intertidal zone from four localities of Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico in four samplings dates during 1996 and 1997. A total of 118 species were found. Rhodophyceae was represented by 69 species, Phaeophyceae by 20 species, Chlorophyceae by 18 species and Cyanophyceae by 11 species. The more abundant families in the study area were Corallinaceae (17 species), Rhodomelaceae (11 species), Ceramiaceae (10 species), Sargassaceae and Cladophoraceae (4 species). The highest richness was found in December with 78 species, while in September only 39 species were found. Forty five taxa are new records for Puerto Peñasco. We found 41 epiphytic species, 10 Cyanophyceae, 21 Rhodophyceae, 6 Phaeophyceae and 3 Chlorophyceae. A negative correlation between water temperature and species diversity was found. Nevertheless, the highest diversity of epiphytic species was found in the warm months of June and September with 13 and 12 taxa respectively. The number of species found at each locality was as follows: 49 at Playa Hermosa, 47 at Punta Pelicanos and El Malecón and 81 at Playa UEP-DICTUS. The most common species in terms of distribution and occurrence over time were: Sargassum sinicola Setchell et Gardner var. sinicola, Dictyota flabellata (Collins) Setchell et Gardner; Padina durvillei Bory de Saint Vincent, Cladophora prolifera (Roth) Kützing, Struveopsis robusta (Setchell et Gardner) Rhyne et H. Robinson, Amphiroa beauvoisii Lamouroux and Corallina vancouveriensis Yendo.