The geographical distribution of the green benthic seaweeds from the Mexican coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea was analyzed by means of a data bank that includes 98 taxonomic publications that appeared in the 1846 - 2000 period, based on Jaccard’s index. In total, 169 species with 49 genera were recorded, with the highest species richness corresponding to Cladophora (26 species) and Caulerpa (16). Over 70.8% of all the phycoflora was confirmed based on 69 species collected by the authors in 25 localities (40.8%), and 30% through consultation of the MEXU, ENCB and DUKE herbaria. The phycological classification scheme of marine environments included 17 habitats in five coastal types where algae develop on different substrates: hard (62.5%), soft (48.4%), animal (36.8%), plant (30%), floating (11%), and artificial (12.2%). The distinction between two provinces along the Mexican coasts of the Atlantic Ocean Basin was confirmed: one corresponding to a rich tropical phycoflora along the southern coast, from Quintana Roo to Veracruz (Caribbean Province), and the other extending along the subtropical waters and being poor in species (Carolinean Province). Cabo Rojo is the boundary between the tropical and the subtropical coasts of Mexico.
Resumen. En este trabajo se presenta un visión panorámica sobre el quehacer ficológico en México durante la última década de este siglo, y sus perspectivas para los próximos años. El estudio se realizó revisando los foros científicos del país relacionados con la ficología. No obstante que la labor ficológica desempeñada es muy vasta, los estudios florísticos o la exploración algológica continuan siendo el tema central de la ficología nacional. Se observa que la ficología va en aumento por el crecimiento de su infraestructura humana e institucional.Abstract. In this papera general view on the phycologic studies in Mexico of the last decade of this century and their perspectives for the near future is presented. The paper was done reviewing the national forums related with the phycology. The phycologic work is meritorious, but the floristic research is getting along as the main subject. The mexican phycology is developing with the support of human and institutional support.
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