Abstract
We report a large bloom of a benthic diatom, Biddulphia biddulphiana, in the Midriff Islands region of the Gulf of California (GOC), Mexico. The bloom is seemingly invasive in nature (abnormal spatial domination of the benthic environment), and no similar blooms have been previously described in the GOC. Quantitative results indicate a non-significant increase in density and reveal an expansion of affected area from “ground zero” on Isla San Esteban during the year after first observance (2009 to 2010). Observational evidence from colleagues suggests that the bloom had completely disappeared from the areas of highest density by June 2011. It is unclear how a seemingly growing bloom can retract so significantly in such a short time.
Highlights
Benthic invertebrate and algal blooms, often the result of a biological invasion, can be harmful to the shallow marine environment and often involve a single species spatially dominating an ecosystem (e.g., Griffiths et al 1991; Meinesz et al 1993; Watson and Estes 2011)
Coastal marine environment, invertebrate and algal blooms are often a result of accidental human transport of exotic species (Carlton 1996; Ruiz et al 1997; Ruiz et al 2000) and can be costly and very difficult to reverse
Analysis of samples via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the blooming species is a diatom, Biddulphia biddulphiana
Summary
Benthic invertebrate and algal blooms, often the result of a biological invasion, can be harmful to the shallow marine environment and often involve a single species spatially dominating an ecosystem (e.g., Griffiths et al 1991; Meinesz et al 1993; Watson and Estes 2011). 2011), we observed a benthic algal bloom, seemingly invasive in nature, at the relatively remote (though fished) Isla San Esteban, in the Midriff Islands, Central GOC. During expeditions in July 2009 and July 2010, we visited 28 sites at islands throughout the central and southern GOC and along remote areas of the Baja Peninsula, including ten sites in the Midriff Islands region.
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