MACROALGAE ASSOCIATED WITH MANGROVES IN AUSTRALIA - RHODOPHYTA

New data are presented on the distribution of red algae associated with mangroves, based on collections from 112 localilties around the entire Australian coastline. Records are presented for 24 species, most of which are members of the Bostrychia-Caloglossa association. The highest species diversity occurs in northern Australia and almost all of these are species otherwise widely distributed in tropical regions. Murrayella periclados is recorded for only three sites where it is not abundant. Species present in temperate waters include Bostrychia moritziana, Caloglossa leprieurii and Catenella nipae which have broad distributions in both tropical and temperate seas, as well as the widely distributed southern hemisphere temperate species B. harveyi and Stictosiphonia hookeri, and a single species restricted to temperate Australasia, B. tenuissima. The problems in addressing the biogeography of this group of algae are discussed particularly in relation to the present taxonomic treatment of the genera and species.