Structure and composition of the dominant macroflora of the Ana Elena shipwreck, Veracruz Reef System, Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Background. The Veracruz Reef System is a protected area that gives shelter to the port of Veracruz and, therefore, has
been subject to vessel groundings since the arrival of the Spanish in America. In the past century, at least 126 vessels ran aground and some of them now lie as shipwrecks where they are undergoing processes of recruitment and colonization. Goals. We studied the dominant community of algae in the Ana Elena shipwreck, Anegada de Afuera reef, Veracruz.
Methods. Samples and observations are made by scuba diving and digital photograph on the bathymetric gradient of
5 to 12 m, from the captain´s bridge to the hull. Results. The dominant macroalgal assemblages from this wreck were
described for the first time, and various algal community outcrops were observed (8 species of red macroalgae, 3 brown,
and 6 green). The dominant species in each zone of the Ana Elena shipwreck at the captain´s bridge, corridor, and
hull were Lithophyllum congestum (30%), Peyssonnelia inamoena (48%), and Lobophora variegata (50%), respectively.
Conclusions. Light is a limiting factor in the settlement and dominance of these algae. Two new records for Mexico are
reported: Dictyota friabilis Setchell and Anadyomene saldanhae A. B. Joly et E. C. Oliveira.