Temporal variation of epiphytic algae on Digenea mexicana (Rhodophyta: Ceramiales) in a community located in the south of Quintana Roo, Mexico

• DOI: 10.1016/j.rsma.2024.103433
• Publication Date: 2024-02-15T06:00:53Z
• Authors: Cynthia Mariana H...; Ángela Catalina M...; Luz Elena Mateo-Cid; Carlos Fabián Var...
• Keywords: Epiphyte

Epiphytism is a frequent association in marine benthic communities where epiphytic algae play an important role, including increase species richness and primary production. Digenea mexicana perennial red alga that typically favorable host for epiphytes. To determine the spatio-temporal changes of epiphytes population D. Río Indio, Quintana Roo, México, sampling was undertaken three different weather seasons. One hundred twenty-eight taxa were identified, 44 Cyanobacteria, 42 Rhodophyta, 31 Chlorophyta, 11 Phaeophyceae. A multiple linear regression demonstrated significant relationship (F3,10=27.676, P<0.001) between temperature water transparency. The Dispersion Index (DI) indicated epiphyte have aggregated distribution. Both Whittaker index Jaccard analysis showed temporal variation composition species. greatest difference seen dry rainy seasons (0.442), with season being most dissimilar (36%). determined by many factors, environmental variables, stage host's life history, depth.