Marine Red Algae from the North Coast of Papua New Guinea

Abstract

The marine benthic red algae of the north coast of Papua New Guinea are documented, and 27 of the 151 + species are illustrated. All taxa are listed with bibliographic, taxonomic, and biogeographic comments. Only two species are based on type specimens collected from Papua New Guinea (Halymenia durvillei and Chrysymenia kaernbachii). Apart from several new taxa identified in the collections, there are no endemic species known from these shores. As a result of this survey, Laurencia columellaris Børgesen is transferred to the genus Chondrophycus, and Eupogodon palmatifidus is transfered to the genus Dasya. The discovery of the Caribbean genus Rhodogorgon constitutes a major range extension as does that of the North Atlantic Nitophyllum punctatum. The deep-water alga Renouxia, also known from the south coast of Papua New Guinea, is now reported from the north coast, and Polysiphonia polyphysa is recorded for the first time since its discovery and description in the 1850s. The marine red algal flora appears to reflect a typical tropical western Pacific component.