First Record of Ulva pertusa Kjellman (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) in the Pacific Coast of Mexico

Abstract

Based on samplings during 2006-2007 on the intertidal zone of Playa Tampico, Erendira and Punta Baja, Baja California, Ulva pertusa Kjellman (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) was recorded for the first time for the Pacific coast of Mexico. An alga native to Asia, U. pertusa has just recently been recorded in the southern coast of California (USA). The identification of U. pertusa was based on the observation of the morphology and reproductive characters of the collected specimens. Furthermore, the species identity was confirmed by molecular comparison between nuclear-encoded ITS2 sequences of the Mexican samples and those of other Ulva species in GenBnak data. Habitat and distribution of U. pertusa along the Pacific coast of North America are also described. Considering our new report of its occurrence in Mexico, we conclude that U. pertusa is expanding its geographical distribution by trans-ocean introductions.