Fenología de las especies de <i>Sargassum</i> (Fucales: Sargassaceae) en tres zonas de Bahía Concepción, B. C. S., México

Abstract

To detennine the Sargassum phenology in Bahia Concepción, B. C. S., we sampJed once each season during a year (through 1991-92) in beds at three locations; El Gallo, La Calavera and Armenta, at the mouth, middle and top of the Bay. We did a random sampling to detennine the specific composition and the development stages of the plants. Our sample unit was a one meter square. The species found were S. sinicola, S. herporhizum, and S. lapazeanum. Based on the morphological appearance, we characterized eight different development stages: seedling, juvenile, young A and B, mature, and senescent A, B, and C. The development of plants was different geographically and temporally both with the same and different species, even in the same locality. In general, Sargassum starts its development in winter, reaches maturity during spring and dies during summer. Along the bay, Sargassum shows a South to North development gradient, starting first at Annenta. S. lapazeanum is the first to reach maturity during the year.