Presence of Stephanopyxis nipponica Gran and Yendo, 1914 (Stephanopyxidaceae) in the ballast water of ships in the Bay of Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean.

Abstract

With the objective of knowing the microflora present in ballast water in the Santa Marta bay, samples were realized in 34 ships, between January and September of 2006. Stephanopyxis niponnica was found in two coal ships coming from the United States. The presence of this species of biogeographic distribution for cold waters, demonstrates the transport and potential introduction of exotic species to the region of Santa Marta via ballast water.