Phenological study of "Gracilaria cervicornis" (Rhodophyta) populations in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands)

Abstract

Gracilaria cervicornis(Turner) J. Agardh (Rhodophyta) is a specie currently included in the Catalog of Protected Species in Canary Islands, in the "Endangered Species" category, since it is found in Canary Islands, only in the locality of Bañaderos (Gran Canaria). In order to evaluate the state of their populations, the phenological monitoring of populations was carried out for seven months. In this study we have been able to distinguish all phases of the life cycle of Gracilaria cervicornis, highlighting the first obtainment in Gran Canaria of the male gametophyte. Regarding the evolution of the populations in Bañaderos locality where Gracilaria cervicornis remains, we can affirm that the trend is positive, since we found its presence in a greater number of puddles and number of individuals has increased significantly with respect to those outlined in the previous works