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Structural variations of phytoplankton in the coastal seas of Yucatan, Mexico

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Abstract

A study was done of the relationship between hydrographic variables and the composition, abundance, community structure and biomass spectrums of coastal phytoplankton at scales greater than 100 km on the Yucatan Peninsula (SE Gulf of Mexico). This was done during the season of greatest environmental instability in the region, the northwind season (late fall to winter). Samples were collected at stations in the west (Campeche), north (Yucatan), and east (Quintana Roo) zones of the Peninsula. Measurements were taken of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved inorganic nutrients (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate) and chlorophyll a, and samples were taken for phytoplankton analysis. The hydrographic results showed the Campeche zone as having the lowest salinity (<35 psu) values, as well as the highest inorganic nutrient and chlorophyll a values, all of which are related to continental water contributions. The Yucatan zone had the lowest temperatures and the lowest inorganic nutrient values, indicating influence from the Yucatan Current and the Gulf of Mexico. A total of 159 phytoplankton species were identified, dominated by diatoms (>80%) and dinoflagellates. Phytoplankton exhibited greater concentration, richness, equitability and diversity in Campeche, while the lowest community structure values were had in the Quintana Roo zone. The ordination analysis demonstrated that the dominant genera were the diatoms Chaetoceros, Pseudonitzschia and Thalassionema. The biomass spectrums exhibited the lowest slope in environments of higher heterogeneity, with Campeche being the most disturbed and heterogeneous zone and Quintana Roo that with the least heterogeneity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad de Oriente, Escuela de Ciencias Aplicadas del Mar, Boca de Río, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela

    Luis Troccoli Ghinaglia

  2. CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Mérida, A.P. 73 CORDEMEX, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico

    Jorge A. Herrera-Silveira

  3. Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, CSIC, Avda. Montañana 1005, 50059, Zaragoza, Spain

    Francisco A. Comín

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  1. Luis Troccoli Ghinaglia
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  3. Francisco A. Comín
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Troccoli Ghinaglia, L., Herrera-Silveira, J.A. & Comín, F.A. Structural variations of phytoplankton in the coastal seas of Yucatan, Mexico. Hydrobiologia 519, 85–102 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HYDR.0000026487.78497.b6

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