Seasonality of symbiotic Prochloron (Prochlorophyta) and its Didemnid host in the northern Gulf of California

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Abstract
P. didemni, a prokaryotic unicell grows in films on the external surfaces of part of the population of the colonial tunicate Didemnum sp. in intertidal areas of the northern Gulf of California. Seasonal abundance of P. didemni and its host were monitored for 13 mo. at Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico. P. didemni was most abundant in summer. In months when water temperatures were above 21.degree. C, the number of Didemnum colonies with attached Prochloron correlated significantly with sea surface temperature. The number of colonies with P. didemni was at a minimum in winter and was not significantly correlated with temperatures less than 21.degree. C. Abundance of Didemnum colonies varied independently of P. didemni abundance and showed no apparent seasonal cycle. Individual colonies frequently were overgrown by other sessile organisms or buried by sand. P. didemni was more commonly found on large host colonies than small, although no more than 43% of Didemnum colonies had visible P. didemni on them during the period of its peak abundance (July-Aug.). Temperature or a correlated factor such as amount of sunlight, and not available surface space on host colonies, controls P. didemni abundance in this region.

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