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Diversity
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Biodiversity of Macroalgae
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Biodiversity of Macroalgae

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Diversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2020) | Viewed by 49859

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Marcos Rubal

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Matosinhos, Portugal
Interests: benthos; biodiversity; global change; invasions; pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine macroalgae are a diverse component of rocky shores and important primary producers in coastal areas. Additionally, a great part of macroalgal production is exported to different habitats such as sandy beaches (i.e., wrack). The polyphyletic nature of macroalgae implies that they embrace a much wider range of diversity than other marine organisms. However, the knowledge of macroalgal diversity is geographically skewed and many world regions are still poorly studied. More efforts on macroalgal biodiversity studies, including topics such as taxonomy, genetic diversity, spatial, and temporal variability of assemblages or biogeography are needed. Moreover, many anthropogenic disturbances such as pollution, harvesting, introduction of non-native species, or global warming modify the macroalgal biodiversity patterns due to local extinctions or by introducing new species. There is a remarkable level of concern about the loss of perennial canopy-forming macroalgae due to human disturbances. The loss of these canopy-forming algae is particularly alarming because they are one of the most diverse, productive, and valuable ecosystems along intertidal and shallow subtidal shores.

This Special Issue provides an opportunity to improve the current knowledge about macroalgal biodiversity including studies done at different levels of biological organization, from species to assemblages or coastal landscapes, and to explore the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on macroalgal biodiversity. Moreover, this issue will be a good platform to discuss new approaches for monitoring the biodiversity of macroalgae and towards their management.

Dr. Marcos R. García
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Macroalgae
  • Diversity
  • Invasive species
  • Global change
  • Disturbance
  • New methodologies

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 185 KiB  
Editorial
Final Remarks of Special Issue “Biodiversity of Macroalgae”
by Marcos Rubal García
Diversity 2021, 13(4), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040143 - 27 Mar 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1615
Abstract
Macroalgae are a diverse and pervasive element of rocky shores [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Macroalgae)

Research

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10 pages, 1223 KiB  
Article
Low Diversity of Intertidal Canopy-Forming Macroalgae at Urbanized Areas along the North Portuguese Coast
by Marcos Rubal García, Catarina A. Torres and Puri Veiga
Diversity 2020, 12(6), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12060211 - 26 May 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2218
Abstract
Canopy-forming macroalgae are the main component in some of the most diverse and productive coastal habitats around the world. However, canopy-forming macroalgae are very sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances. In coastal urban areas, intertidal organisms are exposed to the interactive effect of several anthropogenic [...] Read more.
Canopy-forming macroalgae are the main component in some of the most diverse and productive coastal habitats around the world. However, canopy-forming macroalgae are very sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances. In coastal urban areas, intertidal organisms are exposed to the interactive effect of several anthropogenic disturbances that can modify the community’s structure and diversity. Along the North-East Atlantic shores, many studies explored the effect of anthropogenic disturbances on canopy-forming macroalgae, but mainly focused on kelps and fucoids. However, along the intertidal rocky shores of the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula, the most abundant and frequent canopy-forming macroalgae belong to the family Sargassaceae. To explore the effect of urbanization on these intertidal canopy-forming species the diversity and assemblage structure of canopy species were compared between four urban and four non-urban shores in the north of Portugal. Intertidal canopy assemblages on urban shores were dominated by the non-indigenous Sargassum muticum that was the only canopy-forming species on three of the four studied urban shores. Canopy assemblages on all non-urban shores were more diverse. Moreover, stands of canopy-forming species on urban shores were always monospecific, while at non-urban shores multi-specific stands were common. Therefore, results suggest that urbanization reduces canopy´s biodiversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Macroalgae)
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10 pages, 3550 KiB  
Article
Settlement and Spreading of the Introduced Seaweed Caulacanthus okamurae (Rhodophyta) in the Mediterranean Sea
by Antonella Petrocelli, Marion A. Wolf, Ester Cecere, Katia Sciuto and Adriano Sfriso
Diversity 2020, 12(4), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12040129 - 30 Mar 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3182
Abstract
In this study, we report the first finding of the non-indigenous seaweed Caulacanthus okamurae (Rhodophyta) in the Ionian and Adriatic Seas (Mediterranean). Specimens were identified through molecular analyses based on the plastid ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rbcL) marker. The sequences obtained during this [...] Read more.
In this study, we report the first finding of the non-indigenous seaweed Caulacanthus okamurae (Rhodophyta) in the Ionian and Adriatic Seas (Mediterranean). Specimens were identified through molecular analyses based on the plastid ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rbcL) marker. The sequences obtained during this study represent the first molecular evidence of the presence of this taxon in the Mediterranean Sea. Stable populations have been detected in some areas of the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Italy) and in the whole lagoon of Venice, forming dense patches of low turf that reach high biomasses. Turf-forming algae are common in the intertidal zones of tropical regions, but are rare in temperate ones. The particular environmental conditions of transitional water systems, such as the Mar Piccolo of Taranto and the Venice Lagoon, together with the water temperature increase observed in the last years could have favored the settlement and spread of this introduced species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Macroalgae)
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9 pages, 3301 KiB  
Article
Snapshot of Macroalgae and Fish Assemblages in Temperate Reefs in the Southern European Atlantic Ecoregion
by João N. Franco, Francisco Arenas, Isabel Sousa-Pinto and Carmen B. de los Santos
Diversity 2020, 12(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12010026 - 10 Jan 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3907
Abstract
Most of the biodiversity studies in the South European Atlantic Shelf ecoregion are limited to shallow subtidal or intertidal habitats, while deeper reef habitats, also of relevant ecological importance, are particularly understudied. Macroalgal communities, associated fauna, and sea surface temperature were studied in [...] Read more.
Most of the biodiversity studies in the South European Atlantic Shelf ecoregion are limited to shallow subtidal or intertidal habitats, while deeper reef habitats, also of relevant ecological importance, are particularly understudied. Macroalgal communities, associated fauna, and sea surface temperature were studied in deep reefs (25–30 m) at two locations in this ecoregion: Parcel, North of Portugal (41° N), and Tarifa, Southern Spain (35° N). Specifically, algal assemblages were assessed using biomass collection and associated ichthyofauna was assessed using visual census techniques using scuba. Seawater surface temperature was higher (>3 °C) in the southern region—Tarifa, compared to the northern region—Parcel. Our survey revealed 18 fish species and 23 algae species. The highest abundance of cold-water species (both macroalgae and fish species) was recorded in Parcel and warm-water species were dominant in Tarifa. In light of climate global trends, both regions might experience biodiversity shifts towards tropicalization. Current knowledge on their biodiversity is imperative to further evaluate potential shifts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Macroalgae)
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15 pages, 3968 KiB  
Article
Inventory and Historical Changes in the Marine Flora of Tomioka Peninsula (Amakusa Island), Japan
by Eduard A. Titlyanov, Tamara V. Titlyanova, Mutsunori Tokeshi and Xiubao Li
Diversity 2019, 11(9), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/d11090158 - 6 Sep 2019
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3633
Abstract
Intensive algal sampling was conducted from 2012 to 2017 in the Tomioka Peninsula, Amakusa-Shimoshima Island (the East China Sea, Japan), yielding a total of 293 benthic macroalgal taxa, of which 63% were red algae, 16% were brown algae, and 19% were green algae. [...] Read more.
Intensive algal sampling was conducted from 2012 to 2017 in the Tomioka Peninsula, Amakusa-Shimoshima Island (the East China Sea, Japan), yielding a total of 293 benthic macroalgal taxa, of which 63% were red algae, 16% were brown algae, and 19% were green algae. The majority (69%) of species were previously recorded only for the tropics and/or subtropics, whereas 31% of species were recorded for temperate latitudes. Among all species of algae found from 2012 to 2017 in the Tomioka Peninsula, 163 species (56%) were newly identified species for Amakusa-Shimoshima Island, including six taxa, which were recorded in Japan for the first time. Comparison of the current data from the Amakusa-Shimoshima Island with those of nearby tropical regions suggested that the recent marine flora of the Amakusa-Shimoshima Island was more closely affiliated with the flora of a warm-temperate region. Moreover, we found that the benthic flora of the Tomioka Peninsula was significantly changed between the 1950s (Segawa & Yoshida 1961) and 2012–2017. For example, the species diversity was increased by two times, mainly at the expense of red and green algae, and the biogeographic status of the benthic flora was changed from the flora of a cold-temperate region to the flora of a warm-temperate region, which could be attributed to an introduction of red algae from the tropics of South East Asia and widespread opportunistic green algae, as well as the disappearance of cold-water brown algae. Collectively, our data suggested that these changes were driven by the global warming effect on the ocean. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Macroalgae)
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9 pages, 2184 KiB  
Article
First Report of the Red Algal Genus Chondria C. Agardh (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) for the Marine Flora of Bangladesh
by Md. Ariful Islam, Mst. Zannatun Mauya, S.M. Rafiquzzaman, Md. Rashedul Islam and Lawrence M. Liao
Diversity 2019, 11(6), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/d11060095 - 20 Jun 2019
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4622
Abstract
Epiphytic algae in mangrove forests contribute to high productivity in these unique mangrove ecosystems. A general survey of mangrove-associated macroalgae was conducted during February–March (dry season) and November–December (wet season) in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh. Different macroalgae were collected from mangrove pneumatophores, [...] Read more.
Epiphytic algae in mangrove forests contribute to high productivity in these unique mangrove ecosystems. A general survey of mangrove-associated macroalgae was conducted during February–March (dry season) and November–December (wet season) in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh. Different macroalgae were collected from mangrove pneumatophores, roots, and branches of trees. During this survey, a small and inconspicuous species of Chondria was encountered from the upper-middle of the intertidal zone in the Malancha River (22°5′11.37″ N and 89°13′12.37″ E). External–internal anatomical traits were examined and the sample was identified as Chondria intertexta Silva, a new record for the algal flora of Bangladesh. Furthermore, its geographical distribution and some other ecological notes are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Macroalgae)
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Review

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22 pages, 2739 KiB  
Review
Seaweed Biodiversity of India: Reviewing Current Knowledge to Identify Gaps, Challenges, and Opportunities
by Vaibhav A. Mantri, Monica Gajanan Kavale and Mudassar Anisoddin Kazi
Diversity 2020, 12(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12010013 - 25 Dec 2019
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 29082
Abstract
Seaweeds are a renewable marine resources and have not yet received considerable attention in the field of taxonomy in India as compared to their terrestrial counterparts, essentially due to the lack of awareness of their economic potential. Although the recent inventory from the [...] Read more.
Seaweeds are a renewable marine resources and have not yet received considerable attention in the field of taxonomy in India as compared to their terrestrial counterparts, essentially due to the lack of awareness of their economic potential. Although the recent inventory from the Indian region documented the presence of approximately 865 seaweed taxa, of which only a few are taxonomically well characterized, more precise information still awaits with respect to microscopic and molecular examinations of many. Thus far, in terms of spatial extent, probably only a few of the total hospitable seaweed habitats have been explored, and large portions, including island territories and subtidal waters, remain virtually untouched. Surveying those may lead to the reporting of several taxa new to science. Furthermore, more focused efforts are required to understand the endemic and endangered taxa which have high conservation implications. Considering the unprecedented pressures seaweeds are facing, including coastal pollution and human-induced global warming, it is critical to reinforce our knowledge of seaweed biodiversity. In the present communication, we intended to address the status of seaweed biodiversity in India along with the gaps, challenges, and opportunities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Macroalgae)
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