Diversity and distribution of Udotea genus J.V. Lamouroux (Chlorophyta, Udoteaceae) in the Yucatan peninsula littoral, Mexico

Abstract

A survey of the diversity, distribution, and taxonomy of the genus Udotea from the Yucatan peninsula littoral, Mexico, is presented. The results are based on a review of herbarium specimens, bibliographic data, and collections made by the authors during 2012-2016 at 34 localities along the study area. Macro and microscopic characteristics, relevant photographs, and descriptions are provided for each taxon. A total of 17 taxa of Udotea were recognized. One new record is cited for Quintana Roo, two for Yucatan, and five for Campeche coasts. The Quintana Roo littoral presents the highest number of Udotea species (17), followed by Campeche (13), and finally Yucatan (9). The Udotea taxa could be segregate by the presence of lateral appendages in the blade siphons and, the shape of the lateral appendages of the blade and stipe siphons.

New records of subtidal benthic marine algae from the state of Veracruz, southern Gulf of Mexico

“…So the 3 species found in Veracruz are interesting findings in subtidal waters that expand their ranges. Acosta-Calderón et al (2018) pointed out that U. unistratea has affinities for depth greater than 7 m. Littler and Littler (1990) reported it at 46 m and Ballantine et al (2011) at 70 m. Anadyomene saldanhae constitutes a new record for SAV as a geographical distribution of species with affinities with tropical regions and an amphi-Atlantic distribution (Cape Verde and Caribbean Sea; Collado-Vides et al, 2013). Previously, it had been reported only from Florida and the Caribbean Sea (Littler & Littler, 2000).…”

“…This adaptation appears to allow the alga to bury itself more firmly in the sediments and to more easily obtain nutrients. Avrainvillea and Udotea in Mexico are mainly distributed in the Caribbean (Acosta-Calderón et al, 2018;Ortega et al, 2001); however, there are now 6 species of Udotea recognized in Veracruz, duplicating those previous records. The genus Avrainvillea in Mexico is mainly distributed in the Caribbean (12 species ;Littler & Littler, 2000); the presence of this genus in the Gulf of Mexico is infrequent (12%, A. levis, A. longicaulis, A. nigricans;Fredericq et al, 2009) with its presence recorded so far only from Veracruz in shallow waters (A. longicaulis, A. nigricans).…”

“…Udotea caribaea, U. dixonii and U. unistratea are reported from depths between 15-54 m depth (Littler & Littler, 2000), depths that coincide with those found in Veracruz (18-28 m). Acosta-Calderón et al (2018) pointed out that Campeche is the boundary of the distribution of Udotea in the Caribbean because the Yucatán Peninsula is the physical barrier between the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. So the 3 species found in Veracruz are interesting findings in subtidal waters that expand their ranges.…”

Spatio-Temporal Structure of Two Seaweeds Communities in Campeche, Mexico

“…Table 1 also shows the turnover of species in terms of presence/absence throughout the three seasons at each location. It should be noted that part of the material listed below has already been morphologically and molecularly characterized, as is the case with the Udotea specimens [45] and Codiophyllum [46].…”

The Marine Benthic Algal Flora of Puerto Rico, II. Chlorophyta and Prasinodermatophyta

“…Notes: Since the pioneering monograph of Gepp and Gepp (1911), monographs focused on the tropical western Atlantic Udotea include Littler and Littler (1990b), Collado-Vides et al (2009), andAcosta-Calderón et al (2018). Although the genus is recognized morphologically in the field by its characteristic calcified terminal blade, rbcL and tufA sequence-generated trees (e.g., Kooistra 2002;Lam and Zechman 2006;Verbruggen et al 2009) resulted in polyphyletic clades in which characteristics of Udotea blade lateral appendages were associated with different clades.…”