Marine algae of Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico

Benthic marine algae were taken in the intertidal zone from four localities of Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico in four samplings dates during 1996 and 1997. A total of 118 species were found. Rhodophyceae (69 sp.), Phaeophyceae (20 sp.), Chlorophyceae (18 sp.) and Cyanophyceae (11 sp.). The more abundant families in the area were Corallinaceae (17 sp.), Rhodomelaceae (11 sp.), Ceramiaceae (10 sp.), Sargassaceae and cladophoraceae (4 spp.). The richness was found in December with 78 spp, while in September only 39 spp. were found. 45 taxa are new records for Puerto Penasco. 41 epiphytic species, 10 Cyanophyceae, 21 Rhodophyceae, 6 Phaeophyceae and 3 Chlorophyceae, were found. A negative correlation between water temperature and species diversity was found. The diversity of epiphytic species was found in the warm months of June and September with 13 and 12 taxa respectively. The species number found at each locality was: 49 at Playa Hermosa, 47 at Punta Pelicanos and El Malecon and 81 at Playa UEP-DICTUS. The most common species in distribution and occurrence terms over time were: Sargassum sinicola var. sinicola, Dictyota flabellate; Padina durvillei, Cladophora prolifera and Corallina vancouveriensis.