Synopsis top ↑
This fourth revision of M. J. Wynne’s “Checklist” is an exhaustively
prepared and updated compilation of the taxa of benthic marine algae,
or seaweeds, currently recognized in the broad area of the tropical
and subtropical Western Atlantic. Thus, this checklist covers the
region from the warm temperate eastern United States (Cape Hatteras of
North Carolina) to southern Brazil, which corresponds to the same
domain as the 1960 algal flora published by W. R. Taylor. This fourth
revision of the checklist includes a total of 1,553 species of benthic
marine algae: 215 members of the Ochorophyta (Pelagophyceae
Phaeophyceae, and Xanthophyceae), 1,014 Rhodophyceae, and 324
Chlorophyeae. When 175 infraspecific taxa are included, the total
tally of current names is 1,728. Taxonomic synonyms are also included
andare listed in brackets after the current names. There have been
many molecular-based phylogenetic studies in recent years, and their
impact on classification has been incorporated into the present system
in the various groups. There are 774 notes in regard to specific
points related to nomenclatural issues, new records, new taxa, and
other pertinent information.
This publication includes an extensive bibliography of pertinent
literature primarily for the period following the publication of the
third revision of the checklist in 2011. This checklist includes a
table listing new references by geographic region (country or coastal
states of the Southeastern USA).
This work will be a useful and timely resource to workers on marine
algae not only of the western Atlantic but also on a global
perspective because of its synthesis of recent literature and its
presentation of the most modern concepts of algal classification.