The Marine Benthic Algal Flora of Puerto Rico, IIIA. Rhodophyta Excluding Rhodymeniales and Ceramiales

This taxonomic study covers the benthic red algal species (except the Rhodymeniales and Ceramiales) from Puerto Rico, Caribbean Sea. In this treatment we recognize 5 classes, 20 orders, 34 families, 88 genera, and 174 species that occur in the benthic marine communities in Puerto Rico. Date, place, and author(s) of valid publication for all genera and species; type locality information; and descriptive accounts of vegetative morphological and reproductive anatomy are provided. Distribution of each species is given, and where relevant, comments on their habitat, taxonomy, and nomenclature are included. A key to the genera and keys to species within genera are also included. Either an in situ or other illustration accompanies most species. Three combinations: Hydrolithon antillarum (Foslie et M. Howe) Athanas. et D.L.Ballant. comb. nov., Porolithon caribaeum (Foslie) Athanas. et D.L. Ballant. comb. nov., and Spongitis munita (Foslie et M.Howe) Athanas. et D.L.Ballant. comb. nov., are proposed. Four species, Gracilaria cearensis and G. hayi, Corynomorpha clavata, and Platoma gelatinosum, are reported as new geographic records for Puerto Rico. Contarinia pedrochei, Contarinia ruizii, Metapeyssonelia mesophotica, and Peyssonnelia tenuicrusta are described as new species, and Mucopeyssonnelia westii is described as a new genus and species.