An updated synthesis of cyanobacteria and algae information is presented for Brazil aiming to refine the data gathered to date and evaluate the progress of the biodiversity knowledge about these organisms in the country since the publication of the Catálogo de Plantas e Fungos do Brasil. The results of 2015 showed an increase of 1,250 species (35.7%) when compared to 2010, reaching a total of 4,747 species. The most diverse classes in species number were the Bacillariophyceae, Conjugatophyceae, Florideophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Dinophyceae and Euglenophyceae. Bacillariophyceae and Cyanophyceae had the highest increase in species number in the five-year interval. The Southeast and South regions were the most diverse, however, the Northeast, with the states of Piauí and Sergipe, and the Central-west region, with Mato Grosso, Goiás and Distrito Federal, also stood out in the national algal biodiversity scenario. Despite the shortage of taxonomists and limited infrastructure, the results showed a significant improvement in the knowledge regarding the diversity of cyanobacteria and algae in the country during the study period, starting to even out regional geographical differences caused by subsampling. Key words: Biodiversity, phycology. ResumoApresenta-se uma síntese atualizada de informações sobre algas no Brasil objetivando refinar os dados reunidos até o presente, bem como avaliar os avanços sobre o conhecimento da diversidade de algas no país desde a publicação do Catálogo de Plantas e Fungos do Brasil. Os resultados de 2015 mostraram um acréscimo de 1.250 espécies (35.7%) a um total de 4.747 em relação a 2010. As classes mais diversas em número de espécies foram Bacillariophyceae, Conjugatophyceae, Florideophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Dinophyceae e Euglenophyceae. Bacillariophyceae e Cyanophyceae tiveram o maior acréscimo de espécies no intervalo de cinco anos. A região Sudeste e Sul foram as mais diversas, porém, as regiões Nordeste com os estados do Piauí e Sergipe e Centro-Oeste com os estados de Mato Grosso, Goiás e Distrito Federal destacaram--se no cenário da biodiversidade nacional. Apesar da escassez de taxonomistas e da infraestrutura limitada, os resultados obtidos evidenciaram um avanço significativo no conhecimento da diversidade de algas no país nesse período de cinco anos, iniciando uma mudança quanto as diferenças geográficas regionais. Palavras-chave: Biodiversidade, ficologia.

-(Micrasterias C. Agardh ex Ralfs (Zygnematophyceae) of two Environment Protection Areas of the northern littoral lowland of Bahia, Brazil). Taxonomical survey of genus Micrasterias C. Agardh ex Ralfs of two Environment Protection Areas (APA Rio Capivara and APA Lagoas de Guarajuba), both located in the Camaçari, Bahia State, northeastern Brazil. Ninety-six samples of planktonic and periphytic material studied was collected during the Summer (December 2006 to March 2007

-(Monoraphidium and Ankistrodesmus (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta) from Pantanal dos Marimbus, Chapada Diamantina, Bahia State, Brazil).This study aimed to identify taxa belonging to the genera Monoraphidium and Ankistrodesmus (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta) in two wetland areas of Pantanal dos Marimbus (Baiano and Remanso) in the Marimbus-Iraquara Environmental Protection Area, Bahia State, Brazil, and contribute to the knowledge of Chlorophyceae of Bahia State and Brazil. The materials studied, which were of periphytic and metaphytic origin, came from 64 samples collected in April and June 2011. We identified 18 taxa, 13 from Monoraphidium and five from Ankistrodesmus. Eight taxa were additions to the continental microalgae flora of Northeastern Brazil. Two taxa rarely found in Brazil were collected during the study: Monoraphidium dybowskii and M. litorale.

-(The genera Chaetomorpha Kütz. nom. cons. and Rhizoclonium Kütz. (Chlorophyta) from the littoral of Bahia State, Brazil). This paper presents a taxonomic study of the genera Chaetomorpha and Rhizoclonium occurring in the littoral of Bahia. The species were defi ned based on habit, presence or absence of lateral rhizoids, basal cell type, shape and cells dimensions. The presence of crystalline inclusions in cells was also verifi ed. It were identifi ed nine species, seven to the genus Chaetomorpha (C. aerea (Dillwyn) Kütz., C. antennina (Bory) Kütz., C. brachygona Harv., C. clavata Kütz., C. crassa (C. Agardh) Kütz., C. minima Collins & Herv. and C. nodosa Kütz.) and two to the genus Rhizoclonium (R. africanum Kütz. and R. riparium (Roth) Kütz. ex Harv.). Chaetomorpha crassa, C. minima and C. nodosa are new additions to the Northeastern of Brazil and C. aerea, C. clavata and R. africanum are additions to the Bahia. Three crystals types were found: 1. clusters of fi ne needle-shaped of silica crystals presents in C. aerea, C. antennina, C. brachygona, C. clavata and C. crassa; 2. octahedral of calcium oxalate crystals found in C. antennina and C. clavata and, 3. globular aggregates of cone-shaped calcium carbonate crystals observed in C. clavata. Fertile thallus of C. antennina, C. clavata, C. nodosa, R. africanum and R. riparium are being illustrated for the fi rst time for the Brazilian coast. The vegetative and reproductive structures are described in detail and a comparison with similar species is provided.

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-(Contribution to the knowledge of Cosmarium Corda ex Ralfs (Desmidiaceae, Zygnematophyceae) to Bahia and Brazil). This study aimed to identify the taxa belonging to the genus Cosmarium present in two Environmental Protection Areas of the coastal plain of the northern Bahia, and contribute to the knowledge of its taxonomic composition and geographic distribution in Bahia State, Brazil. Samples were collected during the Summer (January to March 2007) and Winter (June to August 2007) using plankton net 20 µm size and fixed immediately in Transeau solution. Qualitative analysis and illustrations were conducted with the aid of an optical microscope and digital camera attached. Forty-three taxa were recorded, of these, three species and two varieties are new records for Brazil, and 28 species and three varieties are new records for the State of Bahia. Key words: desmids, phytoplankton, taxonomy RESUMO -(Contribuição ao conhecimento de Cosmarium Corda ex Ralfs (Desmidiaceae, Zygnematophyceae) para a Bahia e o Brasil). Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar os táxons do gênero Cosmarium presentes em duas Áreas de Proteção Ambiental da planície litorânea do norte da Bahia e contribuir para o conhecimento da biodiversidade do estado, bem como ampliar o conhecimento da distribuição dos táxons identificados na Bahia e no Brasil. O levantamento taxonômico foi baseado em coletas realizadas no verão (janeiro a março de 2007) e no inverno (junho a agosto de 2007). As amostras foram obtidas através de rede de plâncton com 20µm de abertura de malha e imediatamente fixadas em solução de Transeau. As análises qualitativas e ilustrações foram obtidas utilizando microscópio óptico binocular e máquina fotográfica digital acoplada. Foram registrados 43; táxons, destes, três espécies e duas variedades são ocorrências novas para o Brasil, e 28 espécies e três variedades são novos registros para o estado da Bahia.

Studies of the microalgae in bromeliad phytotelmata in northeastern Brazil revealed the occurrence of some interesting desmids—including new and rare taxa, besides new records for South America. Additionally, we reconsidered some taxa previously recorded in the study area, providing new information and ecological data, as well as SEM images. A total of 19 desmids were identified, 18 from Serra da Jiboia (granite outcrops) and one from Itaberaba (in the “Caatinga” dryland domain). Taxonomic notes and ecological characteristics of the studied taxa are included, as well as a checklist of all of the desmids recorded in Brazilian bromeliad phytotelmata.

The present study presents 11 new additions of coccoid green algae to the phycoflora of Brazil, including the first record of the genus Westellopsis for the neotropical region. Samples of periphyton and plankton were collected in two areas of the Marimbus Wetlands (the Marimbus do Baiano and Marimbus do Remanso, within the Marimbus-