Cryptogamie, Algal., 2001, 22 (1): IS-40 0 2001 Adac/l?ditions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves SOl81-1568(00)01047-3/PLA Marine brown algae (Phaeophyta) from the north coast of Papua New Guinea, with a description of Dictyota mugneana sp. nov. Eric COPPEJANp*, Olivier DE CLERCKb and Frederik LELIAERT Research group Phycology, Department Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat, 35 9000. Ghent, Belgium (Received 10 July 2000, accepted 14 November 2000) Abstract - The marine benthic brown algae of the north coast of Papua New Guinea (mainly from Madang province) are documented, based on collections made by the first author, between 1980 and 1990. All records [34 identified taxa (+Sargassum spp.)] are listed with bibliographic, taxonomic, nomenclatural and biogeographical notes. The specimens belonging to the genus Dictyota are identified according to recent species definitions. D. magneana De Clerck et Coppejans is described as new to science. Only some representatives of the genus Sargassum have been identified to species level. The phaeophycean flora of the north coast is very similar to that of the south coast (Port Moresby area); nevertheless some differences can be observed. 0 2001 Adac/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS Phaeophyta I Papua New Guinea I checklist I Dictyota magneana sp. nav. R&urn6 - Les PhCophyckes hcnthiques de la tote Nord de la Papouasie Nouvelle Guinee (surtout de la Province de Madang) sont documentees, base sur les collections du premier auteur, effect&es entre 1980 et 1990. Pour chaque espece (+ de 34 taxons) des don&es bibliographiques, taxonomiques, nomenclaturales et biogeographiques sont ajoutr5es. Les specimens appartenant au genre Dictyota sont identifies selon les d6finitions r&entes des esp&ces. D. magneana De Clerck et Coppejans est d&rite comme nouvelle espbce pour la science. Dans le genre Sargassum quelques esp&ces seulement ont et6 identifi&s jusqu’au niveau d’espece. La flore ph6ophyc&nne de la tote nord est t&s semblable a celle de la &te sud (region de Port Moresby), mais nc%nmoins certaines differences peuvent &e not&z,. 0 2001 Adac&ditions scientifiques et m&icales Elsevier SAS Phaeophyta I Papouasie Nouvelle Guinke I liste d’espks annot& I Dic4oti magneana sp. nov. INTRODUCTION The tropical Western Pacific region has received at least some attention regarding its marine benthic algae over the previous three decades. Floristic works and * Correspondence and reprints: [email protected] ’ Dedicated to emeritus Rofessor Francis Magne on the occasion of his 75” birthday. This paper could not be included in issue 2 of vol. 21. 16 E. Coppejans, 0. de Clerck and F. Leliaert checklists have been published from several countries including the Philippines (Silva et al., 1987), Indonesia (Coppejans 8z Prud’homme van Reine, 1992; Verheij & Prud’homme van Reine, 1993), northern Australia (Lewis, 1984, 1985, 1987), Taiwan (Lewis & Norris, 1987), Thailand (Velasquez & Lewmanomont, 1975; Lewmanomont & Ogawa, 1995), Vietnam (Dawson, 1954; Nguyen et al., 1993), the Solomon Islands (Womersley & Bailey, 1970), Micronesia (Tsuda & Wray, 1977), and New Caledonia (Garrigue & Tsuda, 1988). In marked contrast, however, the marine algae of Papua New Guinea are considerably less well known with some surveys from the southern coast only recently being published (Heijs, 1985a, 1985b; Ohba & Enomoto, 1992; Coppejans et al., 1995a, 1995b; Millar et al., 1999) where approximately 280 species are now documented. Apart from two publications dealing with the green algal genus Cuulerpu (Coppejans & Meinesz, 1988; Coppejans, 1992), a study of macroalgae associated with seagrass meadows (Heijs & Brouns, 1986), and with mangrove vegetations (Ring, 1990), a short list of marine Chlorophyta (Enomoto & Ohba, 1992) and an annotated checklist of the Rhodophyta (Coppejans & Millar, 2000), there are no recently published accounts of the algal flora from the north coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Recent studies on Phaeophyta from the north coast of PNG are unexistant. For the history of marine algal exploration in PNG, mainly carried out in the 19th and early 20th century, we refer to Millar er al. (1999). The sudden research interest in phycological research in Papua New Guinea since 1980 is a combined effect of the presence of two field stations (the Belgian Biological Station on Laing Island, close to Bogia, and the American Christensen Research Institute close to Madang), and the successful procurement of funds specifically targeting taxonomic research by the first author. This has allowed easy access to and critical study of the marine algae of the northern coast of PNG over the past 20 years. Unfortunately, the recent closure of both biological stations will make future collections from this area difficult. All collection localities listed in this paper are included in the maps, published by Coppejans & Meinesz (1988: figs 1,2) and Coppejans (1992: map 1). Four collecting expeditions were undertaken over a lo-year period (June-August 1980, July-August 1986, June-August 1988, July-August 1990 + W.F. Prud’homme van Reine) with on-site laboratories and accommodation being used at the Laing Island Biological Station (Hansa Bay, Bogia) and at the Christensen Research Institute (Nagada Harbour, Madang). The majority of the collecting was carried out along the coast between Hansa Bay and Madang, but in 1986 the research was extended to the Saidor area (Astrolabe Bay). At all localities, both intertidal and subtidal SCUBA collections were made to depths of 50 m. This resulted in approximately 2 350 herbarium vouchers and numerous formalin preserved specimens. The main collection is deposited in the herbarium of the Ghent University (GENT). Some duplicate specimens are deposited in the herbarium of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG). Duplicates from the 1990 collections are also deposited in the Herbarium of Leiden, the Netherlands (L), the Herbarium of the Christensen Research Institute (Madang, PNG) and in the herbarium of Lae (PNG). As the four collecting expeditions took place in the same season, a number of seasonal species most probably are absent from this list. Moreover, small species (turf algae, epiphytic species) have been collected only sporadically. Phaeophyta of northern Papua New Guinea 17 ARRANGEMENT AND FORMAT OF THE LIST The systematic arrangement of orders and families essentially follows that of Silva et al. (1996). For each species, references are given to publications where a description and or illustration can be found corresponding to our specimen(s), and the type locality is given as at least one distributional record. References cited for descriptions and illustrations which are listed ‘as’ refer to misapplied names or ‘ = ‘ where they are synonyms. Most species were illustrated in Coppejans ef al. (1995) and therefore only the new Dictyofu species is illustrated here. Voucher specimens of Coppejans (HEC = Herbarium Eric Coppejans), filed in GENT, and of Coppejans and Prud’homme van Reine (Copp & PvR), filed in GENT and L (Leiden) arc then cited. Due to the large number of specimens collected from many sites, we have chosen to limit to five the number of vouchers listed for each species. These are chosen to reflect the broad distribution within the study area and include three locations along the mainland coast and (where available) two from remote islands (Manam, Boisa, and Bagabag). Supplementary collections are mentioned under ‘other collection sites in N-PNG’. Notes regarding various aspects of taxonomy, systematics, nomenclature, or aberrant characters, and distribution in the SW-Pacific from the Philippines down to N Australia, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, are included. The biogeographic references are not exhaustive: review papers and species lists of major regions belonging to the geographic area mentioned above are included. Moreover only a single reference per species per region is mentioned. The countries or regions are placed alphabetically. RESULTS Order Ectocarpales Family Ectocarpaceae Feldmannia Hamel Feldmunnia indica (Sonder) Womersley et Bailey 1970: 288-289 References: Tsuda (1972: 91, pl. 1: fig. 2); Jaasund [1976: 35, fig. 69 (= Gzrordia indica (Sonder) Papenfuss et Chihara)]; Nguyen et al. (1993: 114, fig. 77); Trono Jr. (1997: 100, fig. 69). Type locality: Bima Bay, Sumbawa, Indonesia. Voucher: Copp & PvR 13654(B), 10.8.1990: Madang, Nagada Harbour, vertical walls of floating pontoon. Distribution in SW-Puci$c: N Australia (Lewis J.A., 1985: 4), Caroline Islands [Trono Jr., 1969: 25 (= Ectoculpus indicus Sonder)], Fiji (South & Kasahara, 1992: 53), Guam (Tsuda, 1972: 91), Indonesia [Weber-van Bosse, 1913: 129 (= E. indicus)], Micronesia (Tsuda & Wray, 1977: lOl), Papua New Guinea (this paper), Philippines (Silva et al., 1987: 73), Solomon Islands (Womersley & Bailey, 1970: 288), Vietnam [NguyCn et al., 1993: 114 (= Giffordiu indicu)]. Feldmannia irregularis (Ktitzing) Hamel 1939: xvii References: Jaasund (1969: 206, fig. 6); Clayton [1974: 777, figs 19, 20 (= Gzfordiu irregularis (Ktitzing) Joly)]; Jaasund [1976: 35, fig. 71 (as G. conifera (Borgesen) Taylor)]; Womersley (1987: 42, figs 6D, 8A-C). 18 E. Coppejans, 0. de Clerck and F. Leliaert Type locality: Adriatic Sea. Voucher: Copp & PvR 13755(B), 19.8.1990: Hansa Bay, between Awar River and Awar plantation, epiphytic on Rosenvingea orientalis, -215 m. Distribution in SW-Pacific: N Australia [Lewis J.A., 1985: 4 (= Giffordia irregularis (Kiltzing)