Abstract: Background and Aims: Since the publication of the book on Cuban marine macroalgae in 2015, new records have been found and taxonomic changes have been published. Therefore, the objective of this publication is to present a fifth updated systematic review, that includes Ochrophyta (Class Phaeophyceae), Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta. Methods: These results were recorded from information available in scientific papers, bachelor, master and doctoral theses, as well as scientific-technical reports from recognized specialists, considering those not included in the last review or that were published after 2015. The taxa were systematically ordered, the names and synonymy were reviewed according to Algaebase and the most recent scientific literature. Species were arranged alphabetically within each family. The distribution of each taxon was resumed for nine Ecological Districts (zones) of the Cuban shelf. Key results: An updated floristic list with 569 species, one subspecies, 25 varieties, and 21 forms is presented. Thirty-seven species are added to the previous review of which seven are new records for Cuba: Hydrolithon boergesenii, Neogoniolithon mamillare, N. propinquum, N. rhizophorae, Lithothamnion crispatum, Liagoropsis schrammii, and Peyssonnelia rubra. The distribution of these taxa in the nine zones of the Cuban shelf is provided. Conclusions: The zones showing more species have had a greater sampling effort or were predominantly rocky reef bottoms. However, macroalgae have not been inventoried in detail in the intertidal zone, bays, and coastal lagoons. Zones with fewer species coincide in having a narrower shelf where rocky substrates dominate, although macroalgae have not been inventoried in the intertidal zone, bays, and coastal lagoons.

Resumen: Antecedentes y Objetivos: Desde la publicación del libro sobre las macroalgas marinas de Cuba en 2015 se han publicado nuevos registros y cambios taxonómicos. Por lo anterior, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue presentar una quinta revisión sistemática actualizada, que incluye Ochrophyta (Clase Phaeophyceae), Rhodophyta y Chlorophyta. Métodos: Se recopiló la información disponible en publicaciones científicas, tesis de licenciatura, maestría y doctorado, e informes científico-técnicos de especialistas reconocidos, considerando aquellas que no fueron comprendidas en la revisión anterior o que fueron publicadas después de 2015. Los taxones encontrados fueron ordenados sistemáticamente, los nombres actualizados y la sinonimia revisada según AlgaeBase y la literatura más reciente. Las especies se ordenaron alfabéticamente dentro de cada familia. La distribución de cada taxón se resumió para nueve zonas consideradas como Distritos Ecológicos (zonas) de la plataforma cubana. Resultados claves: Se presenta un listado florístico actualizado con 569 especies, una subespecie, 25 variedades y 21 formas. Se añaden a la anterior revisión 38 especies, de las cuales siete son nuevos registros para Cuba: Hydrolithon boergesenii, Neogoniolithon mamillare, N. propinquum, N. rhizophorae, Lithothamnion crispatum, Liagoropsis schrammii y Peyssonnelia rubra. Se da la distribución de cada uno de estos taxones en las nueve zonas de la plataforma cubana. Conclusiones: Las zonas que presentaron más especies son aquellas que han tenido un mayor esfuerzo de muestreo o donde predominan los fondos rocosos arrecifales, aunque no se han inventariado detalladamente las macroalgas en la zona mesolitoral, bahías y lagunas costeras.

ABSTRACT The culture temperature is proportional to the production of microalgae, reaching optimal values for each species. Above this optimal value, the respiration and photorespiration increases thus reducing productivity. In this work, the incidence of culture temperature in the biomass concentration of the mixed cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris has been evaluated in porcine residuals in an open system. A multivariate analysis is carried out to obtain the environmental variables with the greatest influence on the algae crop temperature, although all the factors are statistically significant, the solar irradiation has the greatest influence, showing that 72.8% of the temperature variability depends on solar irradiation. Through a non-linear regression analysis and by applying the logistic kinetic model of Verhulst, three runs are analyzed at three average daily temperatures obtaining the best fitting at 30oC where a maximum of biomass concentration of 20,8 g.L-1 is reached.

RESUMEN La temperatura del cultivo es proporcional a la producción de microalgas, alcanzando valores óptimos para cada especie. Por encima de esta, aumenta la respiración y la fotorrespiración, reduciéndose la productividad. En este trabajo se ha evaluado la incidencia de la temperatura de suspensión en la biomasa del cultivo mixto de Chlorella vulgaris en residuales porcinos a cielo abierto. Se realiza un análisis multivariado para obtener las variables ambientales con mayor influencia en la temperatura del cultivo, observándose qué todos los factores son estadísticamente significativos pero la irradiación solar es el que tiene mayor influencia, mostrando que el 72,8 % de la variabilidad de la temperatura depende de la irradiación solar. A través de un análisis de regresión no lineal y aplicando el modelo cinético logístico de Verhulst se analizan tres corridas a tres temperaturas promedios diarias (28oC, 29oC, 30oC) obteniéndose los mejores ajustes a 30oC donde se alcanza una máxima concentración de biomasa de 20,8 g.L-1.

We investigated the distribution of epiphytic macroalgae on the thalli of their hosts at eight localities along the southeastern coast of Cuba between June 2010 and March 2011. We divided he epiphytes in two groups according to their distribution on the host: those at the base of the thallus and those on its surface. We determining the dissimilarity between the zones and the species involved. We identified 102 taxa of epiphytic macroalgae. There were significant differences between the two zones. In 31 hosts, the number of epiphytes was higher on the surface of the thallus, whereas the number of epiphytes was higher at the thallus base in 25 hosts, and the epiphytes were equally distributed between the two zones in five hosts (R=−0.001, p=0.398). The mean dissimilarity between the two zones, in terms of the species composition of the epiphytic macroalgae, was 96.64%. Hydrolithon farinosum and Polysiphonia atlantica accounted for 43.76% of the dissimilarity. Among macroalgae, the structure of the thallus seems to be a determinant of their viability as hosts for epiphytes.

Se estudió la comunidad de octocorales del arrecife de macizos y canales de la Reserva Ecológica Siboney- Juticí (sur oriente de Cuba) con el objetivo de caracterizar su composición, estructura y estado de conservación, así como inferir a partir de estas las condiciones ambientales imperantes en el área. La investigación se realizó entre enero y junio de 2009, en seis localidades ubicadas entre 12m y 17m de profundidad. Como unidad de muestreo se empleó un marco de 1m², el cual fue puesto en zigzag cada 2m sobre la superficie del arrecife de macizos. Se determinó, por localidad, la densidad de colonias y se infirieron los grados de severidad, constancia ambiental, tensión hidrodinámica y el Índice Comparativo de Contaminación. Se determinaron, además, los daños en la comunidad de octocorales. Se analizaron 752 colonias e identificaron 25 especies de octocorales. Eunicea flexuosa y Gorgonia ventalina fueron las especies más abundantes. La densidad fluctuó entre 3.58±1.84 colonias/m² y 7.58±2.16 colonias/ m² (densidad de baja a moderada tendiendo a baja). En la zona se infirió una tensión hidrodinámica entre baja y alta, con niveles de contaminación bajos y moderados, y un ambiente generalmente favorable y constante. Los daños de tipo mecánico fueron los más frecuentes, siendo G. ventalina la especie con más colonias dañadas. La comunidad de octocorales del hábitat de macizos y canales de la Reserva Ecológica Siboney-Juticí presentó un buen estado de conservación.

Structure and injuries of octocoral communities (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) of Ecological Reserve Siboney-Juticí, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. In the spur-and-groove reefs of the Ecological Reserve Siboney-Juticí (Southeast Cuba) octocorals are one of the predominant components of the sessile fauna. Main objectives of the present paper are characterizing the composition, structure and conservation status of the octocoral communities and assessing on the prevailing environmental conditions in the study area. For data collection, six sampling sites were located every 2-3km ranging from 12m to 17m depth along the spur-and-groove reefs. In each site, 22-26 1m² quadrants were zigzag arranged every 2m. The density of colonies was determined per site. The severity degree and predictability of environmental conditions were inferred by using the Heterogeneity and Equitability indexes, respectively. Hydrodynamic stress and the Comparative Pollution Index were also assessed. Current affectations of the octocoral communities were also determined and classified into four main categories: mechanical damage, diseases, predation and invertebrate and macroalgae overgrowth. As a result, 25 species represented by 752 colonies were recorded and Eunicea flexuosa and Gorgonia ventalina were the most abundant. The occurrence of Eunicea succinea forma succinea constituted the first report for Eastern Cuba. Site densities ranged from 3.58±1.84 to 7.58±2.16 colonies/m² and considered from moderate to low. The biggest densities were reported at both sides of the San Juan River mouth. Despite of the composition and structure of the octocoral communities, low to high hydrodynamic stress and low and moderate levels of contamination were inferred, it is likely that these indexes could have been overestimated due to the sensitivity of the indicator species to other factors such as sedimentation. The environmental conditions were mostly favorable and stable. In general, the number of dead colonies was low and mostly caused by the detachment of the substrate and overgrowth of Millepora alcicornis. Injuries were mainly brought about by mechanical damage, followed by coenenchyme loss, predation by Cyphoma gibbosum and macroalgae overgrowth. On the other hand, negative effects by Hermodice carunculata predation, bleaching, Red Band and Black Band Disease were not observed. Among sampled species, G. ventalina colonies were the most severely damaged within the community. As a whole, octocoral communities of spur-and-groove reefs in the Ecological Reserve Siboney-Juticí showed a good conservation status. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (4): 1211-1221. Epub 2010 December 01.

El objetivo del presente trabajo es el estudio del género Callinectes en la zona costera del municipio de Santiago de Cuba. Se realizó una recolecta de 257 ejemplares durante marzo de 2007 a abril de 2008, en ocho estaciones a lo largo de la costa. El género resultó estar ampliamente distribuido en el litoral y representado al menos por cuatro especies: C. sapidus, C. similis, C. rathbunae y C. larvatus, las dos últimas no incluidas en la lista publicada de crustáceos (Crustacea: Decapoda) cubanos. Las especies más abundantes resultaron ser C. sapidus y C. similis. C. rathbunae fue la más ampliamente distribuida. El análisis del contenido estomacal permitió identificar nueve categorías alimentarias, siendo las más importantes los peces y las macroalgas. Las especies de Callinectes tienen un amplio espectro trófico; comen no sólo lo disponible, sino también lo más abundante.

Biodiversity, morphometry and diet of Callinectes crabs (Decapoda: Portunidae) in Santiago de Cuba. On the basis of fishery intensity and proximity to river mouth, a total of 257 swimming Callinectes crabs were collected from March 2007 to April 2008 in eight localities. Captures were made with hanging nets, to a maximal depth of 1.5m, establishing a top time of 2 hr. The genus was widely distributed, and it is represented at least by four species: C. sapidus, C. similis, C. rathbunae and C. larvatus, the last two not included in the last list of Cuban crustaceans (Crustacea: Decapoda). The size and shape of the gonopods were very useful as taxonomical criteria, considering the prevalence of males. The most abundant species were C. sapidus (47.08%), and C. similis (30.35%). C. rathbunae, which was identified at 75% (6) of the localities, showed a better distribution, followed by C. sapidus, which appears in the 63% (5). Sex rate (Rs) by species (male:female) was 6.20 for C. rathbunae, 3.58 for C. similis, 1.40 for C. larvatus and 0.40 for C. sapidus. The most abundant species had a lower Rs value. Morphometrical analysis and weight allowed us to know the average carapace width (CW) and weight (W). C. sapidus had an average CW = 110.57 mm (DS 21.55, n = 121) and W = 84.46 g (SD 43.25, n = 121); C. rathbunae a CW = 115.50 mm (DS 14.94, n = 36) and W = 140.44 g (DS 55.02, n = 36); C. larvatus a CW = 76.04 mm (DS 10.88, n = 22) and W = 31.70 g (DS 14.67, n = 22); and C. similis had the minimal parameter values, with a CW = 59.77 mm (DS 14.09, n = 78) and W = 13.80g (DS 10.00, n = 78). These are the first records of the coastal crabs in the area. All values are lower than in previous reports. The largest individuals (CW>140 mm: C. rathbunae and C. sapidus) were captured in localities with adequate environmental characteristics. The stomach content suggests nine dietary categories, mainly fishes and macroalgae. The genus Callinectes has a diversified trophic spectrum. These crabs eat the available food, but they have a preference for the most abundant items. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (3): 671-686. Epub 2009 September 30.