[Distribution and abundance of the ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata (Ascidiacea: Perophoridae) in Cuba].
Permanently submerged mangrove roots (Rhizophora mangle) are the main habitat of the ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata in Cuba. It was occasionally found on black coral (Antiphates caribeana) between 22 and 38 meters deep. This species exhibits a wide distribution in all the mangrove keys surrounding the Island of Cuba but does not occur in riparian or fringing mangroves. Populations of this species are abundant in Cuba: in 75% of the 58 localities sampled the species was present and in 57% more than 50% of the roots held at least one colony. The highest colony densities were found in the northern coast of Pinar del Rio province with values near one colony per lineal meter of mangrove root. We found the highest density (1.46 col/m) and greatest biomass at Jutías Key, with values between 25 and 660 g/m. The average of wet biomass in the studied mangroves was 73.63 g/m.
Hernández-Zanuy
Aida
A
Instituto de Oceanología del Ministerio de Ciencia Tecnologia y Medio Ambiente de Cuba. Ave. lera y 186 No. 18406, Ciudad Habana, Cuba. aidah@oceano.inf.cu
Carballo
José Luis
JL
García-Cagide
Alida
A
Naranjo
Santiago
S
Esquivel
Macario
M
D000818:Animals; D018533:Biomass; D003462:Cuba; D017753:Ecosystem; D018517:Plant Roots; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D043982:Rhizophoraceae; D014561:Urochordata / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*