Brazilian continental shelf is rich in rhodolith beds and it has a relevant role as a critical ecosystem for conservation. However, we do not know the taxonomy of the rhodolith forming species and because of that we analysed samples from the REVIZEE project in which morpho-anatomical analysis was used to identify Lithophylloideae and Mastophoroideae species. We found Titanoderma pustulatum; Lithophyllum stictaeforme; Lithophyllum corallinae, Hydrolithon breviclavium, Hydrolithon onkodes and Spongites fruticulosus. This is the first detailed description of T. pustulatum from Brazil and S. fruticulosus from the Atlantic Ocean, the first record of H. breviclavium in the Atlantic Ocean and of H. onkodes in Brazilian water. L. corallinae was found 250 m deep-that is a new Coralline algae depth record for Brazilian waters. This study contributes to the understanding of the diversity in Brazilian continental shelf and indicates the importance of future systematic studies. This knowledge is relevant to guide conservation programs and evaluation of impacts.
Nongeniculate calcareous algae are bio-constructors of many marine habitats, some of which are considered biodiversity hotspots. The genus Sporolithon is widely distributed around the world. As part of a review of material from the Brazilian continental shelf we found Sporolithon episoredion, that extend its distribution range into the Atlantic Ocean, Sporolithon ptychoides, which is widely distributed across oceans, and a new species of this genus named Sporolithon elevatum sp. nov. This species presents sorus 2–3 cells elevated above the thallus that sloughs off when senescent, paraphyses with 2–3 cells and a basal layer of elongated cells in areas where sporangia develop. The new species was found at 133 m depth. This study contributes to the understanding of the diversity in this genus and indicates the importance of systematic studies in the framework of conservation programs and evaluation of impacts in an area under exploitation activities.
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