Rev. biol. mar. oceanogr. 49(3): 577-587

Research Note

Unarmored dinoflagellates present during a bloom of Ceratoperidinium falcatum in Bahía de La Paz, Gulf of California

Ismael Gárate-Lizárraga¹

¹Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Departamento de Plancton y Ecología Marina, Apartado postal 592, La Paz, B.C.S. 23000, México

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During a sampling on 16-17 January 2013 in the southwest part of Bahía de La Paz, a moderate bloom of the dinoflagellate Ceratoperidinium falcatum was detected. Its abundance varied from 11,200 to 145,400 cells L^–1 during this period in seawater temperature at 23°C and salinity of 35.42. The specimens were solitary cells. Few two-celled chains were observed. Young cells were relatively small, 30-70 mm long; 17-36 mm wide, from ovately elongate to fusiform. Mature individuals were 40-190 mm long and 20-36 mm wide. Including C. falcatum, 21 species belonging to 5 orders of unarmored dinoflagellates were identified during this bloom. Four species are new records for the Gulf of California and three are new records for the Pacific coast of Mexico.

Key words:  Unarmored dinoflagellates, proliferation, Ceratoperidinium falcatum, Gulf of California