• Source: Puerto Mosquito

The Puerto Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay (Spanish: Bahía bioluminiscente de Puerto Mosquito), or Mosquito Bio Bay, is a bay in the island of Vieques famous for its bioluminescence produced by the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense, which glows blue when agitated. This species of phytoplankton is found in bays in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and The Bahamas.




History


According to legend, Puerto Mosquito is named after the Mosquito, the name of one of pirate Roberto Cofresí's ships. The bio bay was proclaimed a National Natural Landmark in 1980.




Bioluminescence


Bioluminescence is produced by the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense, which glows blue when agitated. Although the phytoplankton responsible for the phenomenon of bioluminescence is found throughout the Antilles, Puerto Mosquito is one of the seven year-round bioluminescent bays in the Caribbean. The bioluminescence is the product of a number of factors: the water conditions and ecosystem created by the surrounding mangrove forest (mostly Rhizophora mangle), the complete lack of modern development in the lagoon, the temperature of the water and the depth of the bay.




Recreation


The bright blue hues produced by the microorganisms during nights of very little moonlight or new moon attracts tourists to the bio bay. It is one of the three bio bays in Puerto Rico; the other two are Laguna Grande in Fajardo and La Parguera in Lajas. The bay and its surrounding mangrove forest are protected by the Vieques Bioluminescent Bay Natural Reserve and no swimming is allowed. Guided tours allow visitors to kayak in the bay and observe the bioluminescence. The bio bay is located near the beach community of Esperanza, between the barrios of Puerto Ferro and Puerto Real in Vieques, Puerto Rico.




Gallery















See also


La Parguera Nature Reserve
List of National Natural Landmarks in Puerto Rico




References






External links


Bahía Mosquito "Bahía Bioluminiscente", Vieques, Puerto Rico (Spanish)
Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay|Vieques (English)

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Carlos Finlay
• Miss Charm 2023
• Neil Ferguson (epidemiolog)
• Puerto Mosquito
• Vieques, Puerto Rico
• Puerto Rico
• Mosquito, Vieques, Puerto Rico
• Isla de Mona
• Rhizophora mangle
• The Mosquito Coast (TV series)
• Punta Petrona Natural Reserve
• Mosquito control
• List of protected areas of Puerto Rico