Benthic Marine Flora of the Northeastern and Southeastern Coast of Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Phytogeographic Considerations

Abstract

Ilha Grande is situated off the coast of Rio de Janeiro State, in southeastern Brazil. A total of 128 marine algal taxa were identified, comprising 26 Chlorophyceae (20.3%), 28 Phaeophyceae (21.9%) and 74 Rhodophyceae (57.8%). The phytogeographic analysis of species from Ilha Grande, using R/P and R+C/P indices, show lower values when compared with the continental coast. Most of the differences observed were due to the higher percentage of Phaeophyceae. This paper shows that these indices should be used with caution when applied to tropical islands. © 1992, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.