Checklist of rhodophyceae and the first report of Aglaothamnion tripinnatum and Gaillona gallica in the Moroccan coastline

Abstract

The present study aims to update the red seaweed species in the intertidal zone of the Atlantic coast of Sidi Bouzid, a seaside resort near El Jadida City (Morocco) from 2016 to 2018. A particular interest was given to the new species recorded for the first time in the Moroccan coasts. The results obtained have shown an important red algal diversity in comparison to previous studies with 32 species of seaweeds that were found for the first time in this coastal area. A total of 156 species was recorded andrepresented by 35 families of red algae, where the largest number of these species belonged to Ceramiales order with 73 species, as well as 20 species of the order Gigartinales and 10 species for the Gelidiales and Corallinales orders. Among them, two epiphytes, Aglaothamnion tripinnatum and Gaillona gallica, are cited for the first time for the Moroccan coastline.

Keywords

• Atlantic coast
• Biodiversity
• Epiphytes species
• Intertidal zone
• Red algae