Benthic and planktic toxic microalgae from the southern-central region of Cuba were surveyed
intermittently between 2007 and 2009, mainly in the estuarine Cienfuegos Bay and its adjacent
coast. The highest abundance of both benthic and planktic species were recorded in dry season and
at the beginning of the rainy period which is directly correlated with a higher incidence of ciguatera
and other episodes associated to harmful algal blooms. Ostreopsis lenticularis and Gambierdiscus
caribaeus were the dominant benthic species in the eastern coast. After heavy rain, Ostreopsis ovata
and Prorocentrum lima were dominant. Moderate abundance of the potentially ciguatotoxic
Prorocentrum concavum, P.rathymum and the dermatotoxic cyanophyte Lyngbya majuscula were
registered on blooms of macroalgae. Gymnodinium catenatum, Pyrodinium bahamense and
Dinophysis ovum were first reported in the region. Blooms of the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia
multistriata have been observed in eutrophic zones. A small episode of dead fish was associated to
blooms of Heterocapsa circularisquama. Other toxic or noxious species have been seen
accompanying such as Cochlodinium polykrikoides, Dinophysis caudata, Gonyaulax polygramma,
G. spinifera and Prorocentrum minimum. High abundance of the cyanobacteria Planktothrix
isothrix, Pseudoanabaena sp., Dolichospermum solitarium and Microcystis aeruginosa were
registered in the bay after hurricanes.Versión del edito