Brown algae (Phaeophyta) from Bahía de los Angeles,Gulf of California,México

Seven sites in Bahía de los Angeles, northern Gulf of California, were sampled seasonally over a three-year period. Five species of brown algae previously not recorded from this bay were identified: Ralfsia pacifica, Sporochnus balleanus, Hydroclathrus clathratus, Colpomenia sinuosa and Padina mexicana. Of these, H. clathratus also provided a new record for the northern Gulf of California. One species previously recorded from the bay, Dictyopteris undulata, was not observed. On a seasonal basis, temperature and biodiversity showed an inverse relationship: highest species numbers occurred in spring, when temperatures were lowest, and lowest species numbers occurred in autumn when temperatures were highest. Most species of brown algae in Baífa de los Angeles are annuals.