Conspectus of the Benthic Marine Algae of the Gulf of California: Rhodophyta, Phaeophyceae, and Chlorophyta

The present treatment constitutes an undated, annotated, systematic review of red, brown, and green benthic marine algae of the Gulf of California, Mexico, using the currently accepted taxon names, with the date and place of valid publication, type locality, and north to south distribution in the Gulf. The systematic list contains 730 species recognized in the Gulf of California, including 490 species of Rhodophyta, 112 species of Phaeophyceae, and 128 species of Chlorophyta. Among the previously recorded marine algae, 39 species are considered uncertain records or to have uncertain taxonomic status, the selection of a lectotype for Gracilaria hancockii resolves its taxonomic status, 3 combinations are made for recognized varieties of Caulerpa chemnitzia, and 15 species are excluded from the Gulf of California marine flora. The geographical distribution range of each species is given from its northernmost to southernmost locales within three regions the Gulf of California: the east coast of the Gulf (states of Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and northern Jalisco), the west coast of the Gulf (states of Baja California and Baja California Sur), the islands of the Gulf, including the Islas Grandes (=Islas de la Cintura; Midriff Islands), and islands of the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and northern Jalisco. Remarks, where appropriate, are included on taxonomy, nomenclature, ecology, and/or distribution with the taxon.