Concise review of the genusHypneaJVLamouroux, 1813

The genusHypnea(Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) has currently 61 accepted species distributed in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions, growing in different habitats with a wide range of environmental factors and interactions with abiotic and biotic factors. SomeHypneaspecies are consumed by humans mostly in Asian and Indo-Pacific countries and are also exploited as raw material for kappa-carrageenan production, consequently, have been harvested and/or cultivated in several countries for decades.Hypnea musciformishas the widest geographical distribution around the world and it is the most studied species. However, more molecular studies onH. musciformisfrom different countries are necessary to understand the phenotypic plasticity and to reveal cryptic species. The present review is a compilation of information on taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, life history, distribution, ecology, physiology, cultivation and harvesting, chemical composition, and biotechnological applications. AlthoughHypneaspecies are well known as sources of carrageenans, reports on chemical diversity and biological activities highlight their remarkable potential for biotechnological applications.