Marine red algae from central-southern coast of Cuba

The aim of this study was to carry out a taxonomic survey of red marine benthic algae that occur in the littoral zone of central-southern Cuba. The samplings were performed in the period 2010–2012at 12 stations predominantly in reef environments. A total of 81 taxa were recorded and distributed in 9 orders and 24 families. Ceramiales was the most represented order with 38 taxa, followed by Corallinales with nine taxa. Hypoglossum caloglossoides represents a new record for Cuban benthic marine algae. Forty-nine species of macroalgae are new additions to the flora of reef environments from the central-southern region of Cuba. Sixty species of the region are provided in Figures (2–61). Dichotomaria obtusata was the most common species found. Some species such as Ceramium fujianum, Gloiocladia iyoensis, Griffithsia schousboei var. anastomosans and Dasya ocellata have been found in Cuba only in the central-southern region. Calcified crustose and articulated coralline algae were found to be common in the coral reef locations, while filamentous turfs and fleshy or frondose macroalgae were commonly found in the stations of shallow or intertidal waters. The floristic composition of red marine benthic algae indicates the central-southern coast of Cuban archipelago as a site of elevated species richness and that its coral reef environments are in a status of good health due to prevalence of calcareous coralline macroalgae. •Marine benthic red algal diversity of central-southern coast of Cuba were studied.•A total of 81 taxa distributed in 9 orders and 24 families were documented.•Hypoglossum caloglossoides represents a new record for Cuban benthic marine algae.•Forty-nine species of macroalgae are new additions to the flora of reef environments from central-southern coast of Cuba.•The central-southern coast of Cuban archipelago shows a high species diversity.