Nanoplankton fraction in the phytoplankton structure in the southern Gulf of Mexico (April 2000)

Phytoplankton, especially the nanoplankton fraction, and its possible relationships with the hydrographic conditions in the southern Gulf of Mexico were studied during an oceanographic cruise in April 2000. Hydrographic data and phytoplankton were analyzed. Phytoplankton species composition showed h...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Hernández-Becerril, DU, García-Reséndiz, JA, Salas-de León, DA, Monreal-Gómez, MA, Signoret-Poillon, M, Aldeco-Ramírez, J
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2008
Country:México
Institution:UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE BAJA CALIFORNIA
Repository:Ciencias Marinas
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:cienciasmarinas.com.mx:article/1263
Online Access:https://www.cienciasmarinas.com.mx/index.php/cmarinas/article/view/1263
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:nanoplankton
chlorophyll a
coccolithophores
diatoms
Gulf of Mexico
nanoplancton
clorofila a
cocolitofóridos
diatomeas
Golfo de México
Description
Summary:Phytoplankton, especially the nanoplankton fraction, and its possible relationships with the hydrographic conditions in the southern Gulf of Mexico were studied during an oceanographic cruise in April 2000. Hydrographic data and phytoplankton were analyzed. Phytoplankton species composition showed heterogeneity among stations. A total of 180 species were found: 114 diatoms, 32 dinoflagellates, 32 coccolithophores, and 2 silicoflagellates. Diversity indices were variable (0.96–5.12 bits ind–1). Phytoplankton was numerically dominated by coccolithophores or nanoplanktonic diatoms. Cell abundance was low to moderately high, ranging from 5.3 × 103 to 1.4 × 105 cells L–1. The most abundant, dominant species were nanoplanktonic forms: two coccolithophores, Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica; the pennate diatoms Nitzschia bicapitata, N. bifurcata and N. leehyi; and centric diatoms of the genus Thalassiosira. The high subsurface abundance of coccolithophores at two stations was related to a thermal front in the Grijalva-Usumacinta river system. 

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