Potentially Harmful Microalgae from the Southern-Central Coast of Cuba

Benthic and planktic toxic microalgae from the southern-central region of Cuba were surveyed intermittently between 2007 and 2009, mainly in the estuarine Cienfuegos Bay and its adjacent coast. The highest abundance of both benthic and planktic species were recorded in dry season and at the beginning of the rainy period which is directly correlated with a higher incidence of ciguatera and other episodes associated to harmful algal blooms. Ostreopsis lenticularis and Gambierdiscus caribaeus were the dominant benthic species in the eastern coast. After heavy rain, Ostreopsis ovata and Prorocentrum lima were dominant. Moderate abundance of the potentially ciguatotoxic Prorocentrum concavum, P.rathymum and the dermatotoxic cyanophyte Lyngbya majuscula were registered on blooms of macroalgae. Gymnodinium catenatum, Pyrodinium bahamense and Dinophysis ovum were first reported in the region. Blooms of the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata have been observed in eutrophic zones. A small episode of dead fish was associated to blooms of Heterocapsa circularisquama. Other toxic or noxious species have been seen accompanying such as Cochlodinium polykrikoides, Dinophysis caudata, Gonyaulax polygramma, G. spinifera and Prorocentrum minimum. High abundance of the cyanobacteria Planktothrix isothrix, Pseudoanabaena sp., Dolichospermum solitarium and Microcystis aeruginosa were registered in the bay after hurricanes.Versión del edito