Microphytobenthos is a community that groups benthic photosynthetic microorganisms. In Venezuela and the other countries in the Caribbean Sea, this group has been scarcely studied, so its diversity is unknown. This study aims to describe the spatial and temporal variations of its composition and abundance in the central coastal zone of Venezuela. Samplings were conducted monthly from June 2014 to March 2015, in random stations at depths less than 20 m. Richness and abundance data were processed through multivariate hypothesis tests (Anosim - SIMPER - nMDS). A total of 327 species were identified, with a dominance of diatoms and dinoflagellates, without significant spatial and temporal variations. In terms of abundance, the most representative group was diatoms (68 %), followed by cyanobacteria (28 %). The microfitobenthos presented a temporal variability in which the highest densities were reached between July and August, while the rest of the months presented similar abundances. Thus, standard abundances were obtained in all the samples according to that found in other areas of the world, with notable differences between the microphytobenthos of the evaluated substrates, and a high and constant specific richness throughout the year. |
