Abstract

CARBALLO, José Luis. Distribución de Ecteinascidia turbinata (Ascidiacea: Perophoridae) en los manglares de la Península de Yucatán, México. Rev. biol. trop [online]. 2000, vol.48, n.2-3, pp.365-369. ISSN 0034-7744.

The ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata synthesizes some of the most promising substances against solid-type tumors, but the only available source are the natural populations of this tunicate, which is reared or collected in different parts of the world. A total of 33 locations were sampled in the Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula. The tunicate was not found in Veracruz, Tabasco and Campeche, but it was well established on mangrove roots in the Yucatan Peninsula where we estimated densities more or less equal to one colony and an average production of 115 g of biomass per lineal meter of mangrove coastline in one location (Río Lagartos). Sustainable management appears to be possible.

Keywords : E. turbinata; mangrooves; distribution; density; natural products.