MARINE BENTHIC ALGAE FROM COMMANDER ISLANDS (REVISION 2021). II. RHODOPHYTA

Abstract

We present results of revision based on our personal data and reports published from 1889 to 2020 on the red algal species composition from the Commander Islands. The general list includes 150 species. Six species are reported for the first time, including Phymatolithon lamii, Neoabbottiella valentinae, Callophyllis beringensis, Kallymeniopsis verrucosa, Velatocarpus kurilensis, and Mazzaella hemisphaerica. These species are illustrated by photographs of samples collected by us from Bering Island in September 2020. Another 15 red algal species reported from this area by different authors we attributed by us to doubtful and incorrectly identified taxa. The list of valid species is organized similarly to that in our recent paper on flora of the green and brown algae from the Commander Islands [Klochkova et al., 2020]. In the list, we cite papers containing information on species records from this area. For all species, information on their distribution frequency, depth, and some ecological and biological features are provided. It is shown that in contrast to many other regions of the Russian Far East, the Commander Islands are well studied from phycological and floristic aspects. This is due to seasonal and year-round investigations carried out in this region in different time periods, a thorough diving survey on the coastal area and more complete study on microepiphyte species composition, including microscopic red algae.