MASS MORTALITY IN A MANGROVE ROOTS FOULING COMMUNITY IN A HYPERSALINE TROPICAL LAGOON

Massive mortality of the fouling community associated with red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.) roots was observed in February 1989 throughout most of La Restinga, a hypersaline coastal lagoon located in the central part of Margarita Island, Venezuela. The presence of species in the community was monitored on 6 field trips through 21 consecutive months, revealing a trend towards the restoration of the initial (May 1988) species composition. Although the factor or factors responsible for the community changes were not identified, physical disturbances associated with the passage of hurricanes Gilbert and Joan seem to be connected with the observed massive mortality. Apparently, the same factors and those preventing larval transport and settlement, i.e., slow water currents and siltration, are responsible for the slow community recovery.