Distribución del fitoplancton en aguas marino-costeras en tres sectores de la península de Santa Elena

Abstract

The composition, distribution, abundance and ecology were studied in the phytoplankton communities during the wet season from December of 2015 to May of 2016 in six stations located in the coastal zone of Ancon, Anconcito and Punta Carnero province of Santa Elena. 36 samples were collected by surface trawls. A total of 58 species were identified in the 6 stations, in which 31 species correspond to diatoms and 26 species belong to dinoflagellates, 1 species of silicoflagellates and tintinids as part of the phytoplankton fauna present in all stations. The total density of the first trophic link reported a total of 392652 cells/100m3, in wich the highest distribution was in the sector of Ancon at E-2 with 107073 cells/100m3, followed by E-3 located in the Anconcito's sector with 84992 cells/100m3, in the sector of Punta Carnero the densities were low, reporting in the E-6 with 43358 cells/100m3, considering that the phytoplankton presented during the time of sampling a heterogeneous behavior among the three sectors. The distribution of diatom species reported their highest percentage in the Rhizosolenia imbricate species with 40.48% being present in the 6 months of sampling, but not in all stations fallowed by Rhizosolenia hebetata species with 16.84% being present only in December and absent in the other months. Lectocylindrus danicus reported 11.68% being absent in January and present in the other months. The species of Chaetoceros coarctatus, Climacodium frauenfeldianum and Cyclotella striata reported percentages between 7.35%, 5.49 and 5.47%, respectively. However, the other species presented in the study area registered their values below 5%. The dinoflagellate species reported their greatest population abundance in percentage with the species of Ceratium furca var. furca with 19.25%, followed by Ceratium fusus species with 14.73% and Ceratium tripos being present the all three species in the six months of sampling but not in all seasons. Ceratium candelabrum, Ceratium macroceros, Pyrophacus steinii and Ceratium trichoceros reported percentages between 9 and 5% respectively, the other species present in the area of study were below 5%.