Biodiversity of Gracilariaceae (Rhodophyta) in Mexico

Since 1911, 38 species belonging to Gracilaria, Gracilariophylla, Congracilaria, Gracilariopsis, and Hydropuntia of Gracilariaceae (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta), have been classified along the 17 Mexican litoral states, of both the Mexican Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico-Mexican Caribbean, which represent 16% of the Gracilariaceae worldwide flora. The Mexican coasts are part of 2 major areas of endemism: one out of 8 for the genus Gracilaria, and one out of 3, for the genus Hydropuntia. The genera Gracilariopsis, Congracilaria, and Gracilariophylla need special systematic attention. Four genera, out of 7 recognized in the family, have representatives in the Mexican flora, representing 57%. Thirty-eight species out of 239 taxa recognized for Gracilariaceae have been identified in Mexico, which is 16% of the total.