In shrimpponds fromMexico,Rodrıguez and Paez-Osuna
(2003) listed 48 genera of phytoplankton that commonly
occur in coastal areas. They also reported Bacillariophyceae,
Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, and Euglenophyceae as the
dominant groups in coastal waters and in the shrimp farming
systems. Among the most common pond types (intensive
and semi-intensive), Synechocystis diplococcus (cyanobacteria)
was the dominant species (>88.9%), followed byPeridinium trochoideum (Scrippsiella trochoidea), and
eventually by Prorocentrum minimum and Gymnodinium
spp. (dinoflagellates). The numerous occurrences of large
blooms of dinoflagellates and other functional groups such
as cyanobacteria, diatoms, chlorophytes, and flagellates
mean economic losses for the farm industry on account of
shrimp mortality or growth diminution due to poisoning,
anoxic, or mucus production effects.