Corales pétreos sobre raíces sumergidas de Rhizophora mangle L. del parque nacional Jardines de la Reina, Cuba/Stony corals on submerged mangrove roots of rhizophora mangle l. in Jardines de la Reina National Park, Cuba

Resumen

Se determinó la composición de corales pétreos presentes en raíces
sumergidas de Rhizophora mangle L. (mangle rojo), del Parque Nacional Jardines de la Reina. Se cuantificaron 300 raíces, en las que se identificaron 11 especies, pertenecientes a 7 géneros. Las especies predominantes fueron Porites astreoides y Porites divaricata. El 100% de las colonias se encontraron en asociación con algas costrosas coralinas, fundamentalmente del género Neogoniolithon. Al parecer, el éxito del asentamiento de las colonias de corales pétreos en las raíces sumergidas de los manglares, depende de la presencia de algas costrosas coralinas.

Abstract

The composition of stony corals presents in submerged roots of Rhizophora mangle L. (red mangrove) on Jardines de la Reina National Park, was established. 300 roots were quantified, in which 11 species were identified concerning to 7 genera. Predominant species were Porites astreoides and Porites divaricata. 100 % of the colonies were found in association with crustose coralline algae, mainly from Neogoniolithon gender. Apparently, the success of the settlement of the colonies of stony corals in submerged roots of mangroves depends on the presence of crusted coralline algae.

crustose coralline algae; Neogoniolithon; stony corals; submerged roots; Rhizophora mangle