Dinoflagelados (Dinophyta) de los órdenes Prorocentrales y Dinophysiales del Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, México

Abstract

Dinoflagellates (Dinophyta) of orders Dinophysiales and Prorocentrales of the Veracruz Reef System, Mexico. Dinoflagellates are a major taxonomic group in marine phytoplankton communities in terms of diversity and biomass. Some species are also important because they form blooms and/or produce toxins that may cause diverse problems. The composition of planktonic dinoflagellates of the orders Prorocentrales and Dinophysiales, in the Veracruz Reef System, were obtained during the period of October 2006 to January 2007. For this, samples were taken from the surface at 10 stations with net of 30µm mesh, and were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Each species was described and illustrated, measured and their distribution and ecological data is also given. A total of nine species were found and identified, belonging to four genera: Dinophysis was represented by three species; Prorocentrum by three, Phalacroma by two, and only one species of Ornithocercus was detected. From the samples, four potentially toxin-producer species were found: Dinophysis caudata, D. rapa, Phalacroma rotundata and Prorocentrum micans. The number of species found in this study is low, especially considering the higher numbers observed in other areas of the Gulf of Mexico, where some reports have recorded up to 53 species of the order Dinophysiales and 14 for Prorocentrales. Identification keys for orders, genera and species for the study area are provided with this study.

Morphology and taxonomy of Dinophysis species of the section Hastata (Dinoflagellata), including the description of Dinophysis conjuncta sp. nov., from the Mexican marine waters

“…Sometimes, a same cell was observed and photographed by light microscopy (LM), and then it was isolated and mounted for SEM observations. The evaluation of the theca ornamentation was made using both SEM observations of current material (at least fifteen ‘mature' specimens from 10 taxa) and previous studies by SEM (Hallegraef & Lucas, 1988; Hernández-Becerril, 1992; Parra-Toriz, 2011); usually some patterns were recognized, with one pore surrounded by a number of poroids (4–7) and these patterns seem to be fairly stable within a species.…”

“…Previous investigations dedicated in general to the planktonic dinoflagellates from the Mexican Pacific coasts are relatively abundant (Hernández-Becerril, 1988a, b, 1989, 1992; Licea et al , 1995; Okolodkov & Gárate-Lizárraga, 2006; Esqueda-Lara & Hernández-Becerril, 2010), but more limited regarding studies on the order Dinophysales, or to the species of the genus Dinophysis (Hernández-Becerril, 1992; Hernández-Becerril et al , 2003, 2008), and the members of the section Hastata have been studied to lesser detail, consequently few species of the section have been reported. Also in the Gulf of Mexico, studies on the planktonic dinoflagellates have been carried out (Balech, 1967a, b; Steidinger et al , 1967, 2009; Hernández-Becerril et al , 2003; Parra-Toriz, 2011), and the section Hastata has been subject of detailed studies (Norris & Berner, 1970).…”

Microalgas Planctónicas en La Laguna Costera «el Carmen», Cárdenas, Tabasco, México

“…La observación e identificación de los organismos encontrados, se realizó con un microscopio óptico modelo DM500 adaptado con una cámara digital ICC50HD identificar ornamentaciones de la pared celular como estrías, poros areolas, espinas, rafe, entre otras. Para la identificación de los organismos se utilizaron las claves taxónomicas de Cupp (1943);Licea, Santoyo & Figueroa, 1995;Thomas, 1997;Perry, 2003;Al-Kandai, Al-Yamani & Al-Rifaie, (2009); Parra, Rodríguez & Hernández, (2011).…”

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABS) along Mexican Coasts

“…The latter is responsible for DSP poisoning [54]. Other species, such as Dinophysis caudata, has been reported in the Gulf of Mexico [88]. In addition to this, the presence of the species K. Brevis, producer of brevetoxins, has been detected, this species is responsible for neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) especially in the Gulf of Mexico,…”