Studies on the Tropical Agarophyte Gracilaria cornea J. Agardh (Rhodophyta, Gracilariales) from Yucatán, Mexico. II. Biomass Assessment and Reproductive Phenology
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Abstract
Biomass and reproductive phenology of Gracilaria cornea was studied over a 15-month period in a natural bed north of the Yucatán Peninsula. Maximum biomass (ca. 55 g dry wt m−2) was recorded during the wet season (June to September) and lowest biomass (5 to 12 g dry wt m−2) in the cold and dry seasons (November to May). Biomass was significantly correlated with seawater temperature. Reproductive plants were found throughout the year with maximum fertility of ca. 81% during May to August. Tetrasporophytes were the most common phase with maximum occurrence of 65% in June and minimum in April (32.9%). Carposporophytes were most abundant (17% and 21%) in October and April. Male gametophytes occurred during March to May (ca. 12%) and were only represented by a low proportion the rest of the year. Except for irradiance, all environmental variables measured showed no significant relationship with life phases. The biomass of G. cornea during some months was similar to that of other commercially exploited Gracilaria species. The study demonstrates that, due to the strong seasonal aspect of the biomass, and the need to maintain the population over the years, harvesting should occur at the end of the wet season and before the first storms.
Copyright © 2002 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
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Articles in the same Issue
- A Checklist of the Seaweeds of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Coasts of Morocco. III. Rhodophyceae (Excluding Ceramiales)
- Twenty Marine Benthic Algae New to South Africa, with Emphasis on the Flora of Kwazulu-Natal
- Taxonomic Implications of the Chemical Structures of Galactans from Two Species of the Genus Trematocarpus
- Deep-Sea Farming of Kappaphycus Using the Multiple Raft, Long-Line Method
- Alginate Content of Farmed Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar from the Three Bays of Iwate, Japan during Harvest Period
- Studies on the Tropical Agarophyte Gracilaria cornea J. Agardh (Rhodophyta, Gracilariales) from Yucatán, Mexico. I. Seasonal Physiological and Biochemical Responses
- Studies on the Tropical Agarophyte Gracilaria cornea J. Agardh (Rhodophyta, Gracilariales) from Yucatán, Mexico. II. Biomass Assessment and Reproductive Phenology
- Red Algae (Rhodophyta) from Bahía de Los ángeles, Gulf of California, Mexico
- Quantitative Photoperiodic Control of Erect Thallus Production in Sargassum muticum
- Morphological Variation of Codium fragile (Chlorophyta) in Eastern Canada
- Effect of a Seaweed Extract on the Productivity of 'de Nules' Clementine Mandarin and Navelina Orange
- Meetings
