PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 4: Marine Ecology
Monday, August 8, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal
Population dynamics of Pyrodinium bahamense and Ceratium furca at Laguna Grande, Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
Santiago-Maldonado, Melissa 1, Rodríguez-Collazo, Julianna*,1, Olivieri, Karina1, Sastre, Miguel1, 1 University of Puerto Rico at, Humacao, Puerto Rico
ABSTRACT- Most of the bioluminescence observed in Puerto Rico coastal lagoons is produced by the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense var. bahamense. Population dynamics of this species has been studied in most bioluminescent lagoons in Puerto Rico. However, no study of this type has been performed at Laguna Grande, Fajardo, one of the largest coastal lagoons in the island. The objective of this study is to describe relationships between population fluctuations of the dinoflagellates Pyrodinium bahamense var.. bahamense and Ceratium furca, and physical-chemical parameters existing at Laguna Grande. Three sampling stations were selected at Laguna Grande, where samples were taken at the surface and at 2m depth. Samples were taken every two weeks. The physical-chemical parameters analyzed in this study were: temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a (in vivo fluorescence), nitrates and ortho-phosphates. Mean densities of P. bahamense were higher during August, September and October (highest density, mean = 13,120 orgs./L) and lower during January and March. Mean densities of C. furca were higher during December, January February and March (highest density, mean = 1,964 orgs. /L) and lower during July, August and September. Significant (p<0.05) positive correlations were observed between water temperature and densities of P. bahamense; and significant negative correlations between densities of C. furca and water temperature, densities of P. bahamense and densities of C. furca, and between fluorescence and temperature.
Key words: dinoflagelate, Ceratium furca, Pyrodinium bahamense, Population dynamics