Abstract
Species in the green algal genus Cladophora are morphologically highly variable. Since no specific study concerning Cladophora has been previously conducted in Brazil, the aim of this study was to identify Cladophora occurring along its coastline. Data were collected from several coastal states in the northeastern to southern regions of Brazil from 2000 to 2003. Specimens from national and international herbaria were also examined. Nine species were registered: C. brasiliana, C. catenata, C. coelothrix, C. dalmatica, C. montagneana, C. ordinata C. prolifera, C. rupestris and C. vagabunda. In this study, we recorded the first occurrences of C. prolifera in Piaui, C. dalmatica, C. montagneana and C. ordinata in Ceara, C. rupestris in Pernambuco, C. coelothrix, C. prolifera and C. vagabunda in Alagoas, C. vagabundain Sergipe, C. catenata, C. dalmatica and C. montagneana in Bahia, C. rupestris in Espirito Santo and C. dalmatica in Rio de Janeiro. Our findings expand the known distribution of these species along the Brazilian coast.
