DISTRIBUTION OF ALGAL EPIPHYTES ON MACROPHYTE HOSTS OFFSHORE FROM LA-PARGUERA, PUERTO-RICO

During a three year period, 122 species of epiphytic algae were identified from an algal plain located two miles off the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. Host plants varied considerably in their suitability to support epiphytes; however. the suitability of both favorable and non-favorable hosts increased with age. A definite zonation pattern of epiphytes was observed on most hosts. Epiphytism was heaviest on the older portions of the host and both numbers and abundance of epiphytic species decreased with proximity to meristematic regions. Composition of epiphytic species also commonly differed between young and old portions of algal hosts. © by Walter de Gruyter & Co.