Temporal variation in the abundance and composition of phytoplankton species, collected with net in the Acapulco Bay, Mexico

Abstract

Phytoplankton community species were collected from September 2009 to April 2010 in Acapulco Bay, Mexico, in order to determine their composition and abundance. Samples were collected in two stations within the Bay. A total of 65 species were identified: 34 dinoflagellates, 26 diatoms, 1 cyanobacteria, 1 silicoflagellate, 2 chlorophytes and 1 charophyte. The dinoflagellate dominated during the dry season and the diatoms dominated during the rainy season. At least 5 potentially toxic dinoflagellates were recorded, which could increase their populations and generate harmful algal blooms (HABs) if Bay environmental conditions are altered.

Keywords

• Marine phytoplankton
• species composition
• Acapulco Bay