New marine algal records from the Arabian Gulf coastline of Kuwait

During 2014-2016, a project was launched to update and examine the current status of five phyla of benthic marine algae and epiphytic diatoms and marine Tracheophyta thriving along the coastal area of Kuwait. As a result, 173 species of algae were collected and identified. Fourteen new records of algal species for Kuwait, including 2 species as new records from the Arabian Gulf, are here reported for the first time. These species are assigned to the Chlorophyta (4), Ochrophyta (1), Rhodophyta (5), and Cyanobacteria (4). One species of marine angiosperm from the Kuwait coastal line is also found first. Five algal species collected from Kuwait coastal line remain unidentified.

Automated summary

A project was conducted to update and examine the current status of benthic marine algae, epiphytic diatoms, and marine Tracheophyta in the coastal area of Kuwait from 2014 to 2016. The study identified 173 species of algae, including 14 new records for Kuwait and two new records for the Arabian Gulf. A species of marine angiosperm was also discovered along the Kuwait coastal line. However, five algal species collected from Kuwait remain unidentified.