Benthic-epiphytic dinoflagellates from the northern portion of the Mesoamerican Reef System

Abstract

Abstract In 2010, we surveyed 42 sampling locations at 11 sites along the Mexican part of the Mesoamerican Reef System, including eight protected natural areas of the coastal state of Quintana Roo, to determine the richness of benthic-epiphytic dinoflagellates in the area. At each site, the host macroalgae of the genera Dictyota, Halimeda, Laurencia, Sargassum, and Stypopodium were manually collected. A total of 383 samples were analyzed microscopically using transmitted light, epifluorescence with calcofluor staining, and scanning electron microscopy. A total of 24 dinoflagellate species distributed among the genera Amphidinium, Bysmatrum, Coolia, Gambierdiscus, Ostreopsis, Prorocentrum, Plagiodinium, and Sinophysis were identified. Prorocentrum is the most diverse genus in the benthic-epiphytic environment with 13 species. This work also includes 15 new records of species from the Mexican Caribbean.