Seaweed Biodiversity of India: Reviewing Current Knowledge to Identify Gaps, Challenges, and Opportunities

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 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.

Evaluation of Chemical, Functional, Spectral, and Thermal Characteristics of Sargassum wightii and Ulva rigida from Indian Coast

“…It is a good source of carbohydrate, minerals, proteins, essential amino acids (e.g., arginine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine), β-carotene, and vitamins [7]. Indian coast has more than 56 Sargassum species, and some species such as Sargassum siliquosum are utilized by local populations as an ingredient in salad, fish soup, and rice dishes [8]. Among Sargassum, S. wightii grows abundantly throughout the year on both eastern and western coasts.…”

“…Same is the case of green seaweed (Chlorophyta). More than 43 genera of Chlorophyta have been recognized at the Indian coastal region [8]. In the Chlorophyta, Ulva is cultivated majorly.…”

A New Combination of Endemic Species in <I>Ulva</i> from India

“…This species has not been validated in to Ulva because of the lacuna to access the specimen (Hayden & al., 2003). But, the occurrence and diversity of this species was periodically reported by several researchers in different decades (Silva & al., 1996;Krishnamurthy, 2000;Oza & Zaidi, 2001;Jha & al., 2009;Rao & Gupta, 2015;Mantri & al., 2020). The protologue furnished by Joshi & Krishnamurthy (1972) and descriptions of Krishnamurthy, (2000) and Jha & al., (2009) evidently support the distinctiveness of E. ovata.…”

Notas sobre las algas marinas de la Reserva Internacional de la Biosfera Seaflower, Caribe Colombiano VIII: nuevos registros de algas rojas (Rhodophyta) de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina, Colombia

“…Furthermore, detailed studies are required to understand the distribution, population dynamics and status of rare or uncommon taxa. 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 (Mantri et al, 2020).…”