Macroalgae of Puerto Morelos Reef System, Mexican Caribbean

Abstract

A total of 113 species was found in Puerto Morelos reef system at four sampling sites in April 1995. Phycological differences were found between rear reef and lagoon as the Jaccard index accounts for only 28% of similarity between both habitats. It is evident that both habitats have different general conditions such as substrate and water motion, and they might some of the causes that produce quite different algal communities. A list of 245 species has been registered by 9 studies and our results for Puerto Moreos reef system. A wide difference in the number of reported species by different authors was found (158 to 23 species). Those results reflect different methods and sampling intensities used at each work. The species found in each sampling time can also be different because seasonal floristic cahnges and the occurence of environmental disturbances such as hurricanes. Floristic differences found between authors, as well as differences at habitat level suggest that a continuous study is need in all habitats of Puerto Morelos (rear and front reef, reef lagoon and deep waters) in order to have a better knowledge of this area.