Species composition and assemblage structure of microfouling diatoms growing on fiberglass plates off the coast of Yucatán, Mexico

Background. It is generally accepted that exopolymer films secreted by diatoms promote the onset of macrofouling on surfaces of materials used in marine environments. However, few studies provide precise information at species level regarding the microfouling process. The use of anti-fouling paints on different surfaces to create a toxic environment may aid in precluding development of the initial diatom microfilm leading to macrofouling. Goals. To describe the species composition and the structure of fouling diatoms. Methods. We analyzed assemblages growing on fiberglass plates, coated and uncoated with antifouling paint, fixed on PVC stands submerged at a 10-m depth. Because diatoms are opportunistic, fast growing microalgae that proliferate on many substrates, our hypothesis was that diatom assemblages growing on fiberglass surfaces, coated or uncoated with antifouling paint, would not differ in their structure. Results. Floristic analysis yielded 170 diatom taxa and similar assemblages with high values of diversity occurring on both surfaces. Conclusions. In keeping with our hypothesis, both colonized fiberglass surfaces compare to living substrata that favor the growth of diatom associations that exhibit high species diversity. This information will be useful in environmental studies, such as pollution abatement, and for the design and maintenance of fishing boats and industrial equipment prone to biofouling.Background. It is generally accepted that exopolymer films secreted by diatoms promote the onset of macrofouling on surfaces of materials used in marine environments. However, few studies provide precise information at species level regarding the microfouling process. The use of anti-fouling paints on different surfaces to create a toxic environment may aid in precluding development of the initial diatom microfilm leading to macrofouling. Goals. To describe the species composition and the structure of fouling diatoms. Methods. We analyzed assemblages growing on fiberglass plates, coated and uncoated with antifouling paint, fixed on PVC stands submerged at a 10-m depth. Because diatoms are opportunistic, fast growing microalgae that proliferate on many substrates, our hypothesis was that diatom assemblages growing on fiberglass surfaces, coated or uncoated with antifouling paint, would not differ in their structure. Results. Floristic analysis yielded 170 diatom taxa and similar assemblages with high values of diversity occurring on both surfaces. Conclusions. In keeping with our hypothesis, both colonized fiberglass surfaces compare to living substrata that favor the growth of diatom associations that exhibit high species diversity. This information will be useful in environmental studies, such as pollution abatement, and for the design and maintenance of fishing boats and industrial equipment prone to biofouling

Durinskia yucatanensis sp. nov. (Peridiniales: Kryptoperidiniaceae), una nueva especie de dinoflagelado planctónico, y su hábitat en aguas costeras de Yucatán, Golfo de México

Background: In the coastal waters of the northern Yucatan Peninsula, in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, numerous pelagic algal blooms have been recorded in the 21st century. In August 2010, an unknown small-sized Peridiniales species caused an intense bloom in the Sisal marina. In subsequent years, it was occasionally found at other sites along the Yucatan coast. Goals: The main objective of the present study was to name this dinoflagellate as a new species and determine its ecological preferences. Methods: Phytoplankton blooms were monitored from August 2011 to September 2014. Fixed cells of the studied species were examined in a JEOL JSM-7600F scanning electron microscope. Its ecological preferences were evaluated using multivariate permutational analysis and generalized additive models (GAM). Results: The name Durinskia yucatanensis (Dinophyceae: Peridiniales) with the thecal plate formula Po X 4’ 2a 6” 5c 4s(?) 5”’ 2”” is proposed for a previously recorded Kryptoperidiniaceae species from the northern Yucatan coastal waters. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen positively correlated with cell abundances for both the exposed coast and marinas, especially in July-August, characterized by high water temperature (31-32 °C). Chlorophyll-a was the only parameter that presented significant spatio-temporal variability among years, months, and sampling sites. The GAM showed that temperature and salinity can predict changes in abundance in different study zones (exposed coast and marinas). The highest values were observed in the Progreso-Chicxulub area along the exposed coast in 2011 and only at Dzilam in marinas during all studied years. Conclusions: The species appears to prefer eutrophic conditions typical for marinas along the northern coast of Yucatan.Antecedentes: En las aguas costeras del norte de la península de Yucatán, en el sureste del Golfo de México, numerosos florecimientos pelágicos de microalgas se han registrado en el siglo 21. En agosto de 2010, una especie pequeña y desconocida de Peridiniales causó un florecimiento intenso en el puerto de abrigo de Sisal. En los años siguientes, se encontró ocasionalmente en otros sitios a lo largo de la costa de Yucatán. Objetivo: Nombrar a este dinoflagelado como una especie nueva para la ciencia y determinar sus preferencias ecológicas. Métodos: Los florecimientos de fitoplancton fueron monitoreados desde agosto de 2011 hasta septiembre de 2014. Las células se examinaron en un microscopio electrónico de barrido JEOL JSM-7600F. Sus preferencias ecológicas se evaluaron mediante análisis permutacional multivariante y modelos aditivos generalizados (GAM). Resultados: El nombre Durinskia yucatanensis (Dinophyceae: Peridiniales), cuya fórmula de placa tecal Po X 4’ 2a 6” 5c 4s(?) 5”’ 2””, se propone para una especie de Kryptoperidiniaceae previamente registrada de las aguas costeras del norte de Yucatán. El nitrógeno inorgánico disuelto se correlacionó positivamente con la abundancia de células, tanto para la costa expuesta como para los puertos deportivos, especialmente en julio-agosto, caracterizados por una alta temperatura del agua (31-32 °C). La clorofila-a fue el único parámetro que presentó variabilidad espacio-temporal significativa entre años, meses y sitios de muestreo. Los GAM demostraron que la temperatura y la salinidad pueden predecir cambios en la abundancia en diferentes zonas de estudio (costa expuesta y puertos deportivos). Los valores más altos se observaron en el área de Progreso-Chicxulub a lo largo de la costa expuesta en 2011 y solo en Dzilam en marinas durante todos los años estudiados. Conclusiones: La especie parece preferir las condiciones eutróficas típicas de los puertos deportivos a lo largo de la costa norte de Yucatán