Puerto Mosquito

This species of phytoplankton is found in bays in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and The Bahamas.[3] Bioluminescence is produced by the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense, which glows blue when agitated.[1] The bioluminescence is the product of a number of factors: the water conditions and ecosystem created by the surrounding mangrove forest (mostly Rhizophora mangle),[4][5] the complete lack of modern development in the lagoon, the temperature of the water and the depth of the bay.[6] The bright blue hues produced by the microorganisms during nights of very little moonlight or new moon attracts tourists to the bio bay.[7] It is one of the three bio bays in Puerto Rico; the other two are Laguna Grande in Fajardo and La Parguera in Lajas.
IUCN categorynatural monument or featureVieques, Puerto RicoEsperanza, ViequesU.S. National Natural LandmarkSpanishViequesbioluminescencedinoflagellatePyrodinium bahamensephytoplanktonVirgin IslandsPuerto RicoThe BahamasRoberto CofresíNational Natural LandmarkAntillesRhizophora manglenew moonFajardoEsperanzabarriosPuerto FerroPuerto RealLa Parguera Nature ReserveList of National Natural Landmarks in Puerto RicoSpringer-VerlagMarine Ecology Progress SeriesBibcode