The intertidal algal flora of Isipingo Beach, Natal, South Africa, and its phycogeographical affinities

Abstract

The intertidal seaweed flora of Isipingo Beach, Natal, is described. Isipingo Beach lies on the sub-tropical east coast of southern Africa and is the only east coast locality studied in detail by pioneering biogeographers. A total of 172 species (37 chlorophytes, 26 phaeophytes and 109 rhodophytes) are recorded. A phycogeographical analysis of 124 species with sufficiently documented distributions, shows that 69% are warm water species also known from the tropical coasts of Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya. The phycogeographical affinity of the Isipingo flora is certainly with sub-tropical and tropical floras. © 1993 Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Hamburg.