Macroalgae associated with aerial roots of Rhizophora mangle in Islas del Rosario, Colombia, Southwestern Caribbean

• Published in: Caldasia 2021-01, Vol.43 (1), p.94-104
• Main Authors: Salazar-Forero, Camila Esperanza, Gavio, Brigitte, Wynne, Michael J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algae; Aquatic plants; BIOLOGY; BOTANY; Chlorophyta; Flora; Herbivores; Islands; Marine flora; Marine plants; National parks; New records; Phaeophyceae; Predators; Rhizophora mangle; Rhodophyta; Roots; Seaweeds; Species; Substrates
• ISSN: 0366-5232; 2357-3759; 2357-3759
• DOI: 10.15446/caldasia.v43n1.85228

The roots of the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle, provide a nursery habitat for many species, due to the tridimensional structure they provide, which delimits an area difficult to access to large predators. Moreover, they provide a hard substrate for many benthonic species, which attach to the roots and contribute to the tridimensional structure of the ecosystem. Among these organisms, there are several macroalgae, which contribute to the primary productivity of the ecosystem and provide food and shelter to herbivores. In the present study we identified the macroalgae associated with the roots of Rhizophora mangle, in Cholón beach, Rosario Islands National Park, Caribbean Colombia. We report a total of 36 species of macroalgae: 21 Rhodophyta, eleven Chlorophyta, and four Phaeophyceae. Of these, 19 are new records for the islands, and six are new records for Colombia. This is the first study on the macroalgae associated with mangrove roots in the Colombian Caribbean, and it highlights both the high diversity of the marine flora of the Southwestern Caribbean, as well as the paucity of studies on the topic. Las raíces de Rhizophora mangle proveen un hábitat de guardería para muchas especies debido a la estructura tridimensional que forman, lo cual delimita un área de difícil acceso para depredadores grandes. Adicionalmente, proveen un sustrato duro para muchas especies bentónicas, que se atan a las raíces y contribuyen a la estructura tridimensional del ecosistema. Entre esos organismos, encontramos varias macroalgas, que contribuyen a la productividad primaria del ecosistema y proveen alimento y refugio a los herbívoros. En el presente estudio se identificaron las macroalgas asociadas a las raíces de Rhizophora mangle, en playa Cholón, en las islas del Rosario, Caribe colombiano. Se reportan 36 especies of macroalgas: 21 Rhodophyta, once Chlorophyta y cuatro Phaeophyceae. De esas 36 especies, 19 son nuevos registros para las islas, y otros seis son nuevos registros para Colombia. Este es el primer estudio sobre las macroalgas asociadas a las raíces de manglar en el Caribe colombiano, e ilustra tanto la alta diversidad de la flora marina en el Caribe suroccidental, como la falta de estudios sobre el tema.