This is a list of red seaweeds recorded from the oceans bordering The Cape Peninsula in South Africa from Melkbosstrand on the West Coast to Cape Hangklip on the South Coast. This list comprises locally used common names, scientific names with author citation and recorded ranges. Ranges specified may not be the entire known range for the species, but should include the known range within the waters surrounding the Republic of South Africa.
Red seaweed refers to thousands of species of macroscopic, multicellular, marine algae in the taxon Rhodophyta
The marine ecology is unusually varied for an area of this size, as a result of the meeting of two major oceanic water masses near Cape Point, and the park extends into two coastal marine bioregions. The ecology of the west or "Atlantic Seaboard" side of the Cape Peninsula is noticeably different in character and biodiversity to that of the east, or "False Bay" side. Both sides are classified as temperate waters, but there is a significant difference in average temperature, with the Atlantic side being noticeably colder on average. [1]
List ordering and taxonomy complies where possible with the current usage in Algaebase, and may differ from the cited source, as listed citations are primarily for range or existence of records for the region. Sub-taxa within any given taxon are arranged alphabetically as a general rule. Details of each species may be available through the relevant internal links. Synonyms may be listed where useful.
The Prorocentrales are a small order of dinoflagellates. They are distinguished by having their two flagella inserted apically, rather than ventrally as in other groups. One flagellum extends forward and the other circles its base, and there are no flagellar grooves. This arrangement is called desmokont, in contrast to the dinokont arrangement found in other groups. Accordingly, the Prorocentrales may be called desmoflagellates, and in some classifications were treated as a separate class Desmophyceae.
The Rivulariaceae are a family of cyanobacteria within the Nostocales in which the filaments (trichomes) are tapered from wider at the base to narrower at the tip.
Pyrenomonas is a genus of cryptomonad.
Erythrotrichia welwitschii is a red algae species in the genus Erythrotrichia found in South Africa from Cape of Good Hope and False Bay extending eastwards at least as far as Port Elizabeth.
Chondracanthus elegans is a red algae species in the genus Chondracanthus. The name elegans is Latin for 'elegant.'
Martensia australis is a species of red algae.
Martensia bibarii is a species of red algae.
Martensia flabelliformis is a species of red algae.
Martensia fragilis is a species of red algae.
Martensia indica is a species of red algae.
Martensia martensii is a species of red algae.
Martensia natalensis is a species of red algae.
Bangiaceae is a family of red algae in the order Bangiales. It contains laver, used to make laverbread, and various species in the genus of Pyropia are used to make nori.
Laminaria pallida, the split-fan kelp, is a species of large brown seaweed of the class Phaeophyceae found from Danger Point on the south coast of South Africa to Port Nolloth, Tristan da Cunha and Gough islands in the Atlantic and Île Saint-Paul in the Indian Ocean.
Palmaria is a genus of algae. One of its most notable members is dulse, Palmaria palmata.