Marine benthic flora of the Mediterranean Sea: Rhodophyta (excluding Rhodymeniophycida)

Abstract

After a brief introduction on general characteristics, classification, geographic distribution and ecology of Rhodophyta (red algae), an identification key to genera, species and infraspecific macroalgal taxa of that Phylum occurring in the Mediterranean Sea [excluding the Black Sea], is given. Rhodymeniophycidae, not treated in this contribution, will be considered in a next paper. Following a taxonomic nomenclatural revision, 122 taxa at specific and infraspecific level are accepted and treated. 44 genera, 15 families, 12 orders, 3 subclasses, 4 classes and 2 subphyla are represented. Moreover, 64 taxa at specific and infraspecific level are considered as taxa excludenda (19 of which to be confirmed in the Mediterranean Sea); 92 taxa (91 at specific and infraspecific and 1 at generic level) are considered as taxa inquirenda; 35 taxa at specific and infraspecific level resulted illegitimate names; 31 taxa at specific and infraspecific level resulted invalid names; finally, 23 combinations resulted invalid while 4 new combinations and a new name are proposed. The systematic arrangement followed, derives from the most recent works based on molecular analyses. Of each taxon a brief description, preceded by both iconographic references and references reporting its distribution in the Mediterranean Sea, are given. Moreover, the treatment of most taxa is enriched with notes supporting either synonymies indicated, or taxonomic choices followed or the reasons for considering the taxon as inquirendum or excludendum, 53 plates, a glossary of 151 entries, an index of all taxa quoted in the text.