Morphological variation of Thalassia testudinum in two shallow coastal environments from the southeastern Gulf of Mexico
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Marco Antonio May-Kú
Abstract
Total biomass, shoot density, leaf length and leaf width of the dominant seagrass Thalassia testudinum were compared between two coastal environments in the northeastern part of the Yucatan peninsula (Mexico). The coastal environments were (a) an exposed sublittoral zone (<1 km from the shoreline) and (b) a sheltered coastal lagoon. Plant morphology was monitored at monthly intervals from June 2001 to May 2002. There was a clear morphological variation between coastal environments throughout the period of study. In the exposed sublittoral zone, total biomass and shoot density were lower and leaves were longer and wider. In contrast, in the sheltered lagoon, total biomass and shoot density were higher and the leaves shorter and narrower. Overall, high values of total biomass, shoot density and leaf width were observed during the warm weather seasons (rainy and dry) whereas the low values were observed during the cold fronts weather season (nortes); leaf length followed a reverse trend. Results presented here stress the need to take into account the natural pattern of morphological variation in the design of sampling and monitoring programs.
©2010 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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Artikel in diesem Heft
- Review
- A review of antihypertensive and antioxidant activities in macroalgae
- Research articles
- Significance of radical oxygen production in sorus development and zoospore germination in Saccharina japonica (Phaeophyceae)
- Genetic variation and biogeographical boundaries within the red alga Porphyra umbilicalis (Bangiales, Rhodophyta)
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- Restoration of Cymodocea nodosa (Uchria) Ascherson seagrass meadows through seed propagation: seed storage and influences of plant hormones and mineral nutrients on seedling growth in vitro
- Morphological variation of Thalassia testudinum in two shallow coastal environments from the southeastern Gulf of Mexico
- Internal mycobiota of marine macroalgae from the Tamilnadu coast: distribution, diversity and biotechnological potential
- Nitrate reduction by fungi in marine oxygen-depleted laboratory microcosms
