Filling the gaps: new seaweed distribution records from the coast of Mozambique, Western Indian Ocean

This paper revises and updates information on the seaweed flora of Mozambique. Out of 367 recorded species, 194 species belong to Rhodophyta, 49 to Heterokontophyta and 124 to Chlorophyta. These species represent sampling at a handful of sites, mainly at sandstone areas in southern Mozambique. Forty-seven new species were added to the list, from field expeditions carried out after 2007, covering sandstone rocky pools, crevices between rock platforms in the midlittoral transition zone to the sublittoral fringe and the sublittoral zone. This update includes a record of the kelp Ecklonia radiata in Zavora, Inhambane. Seaweed specimens were deposited at the LMU Herbarium, Eduardo Mondlane University. A value of 6.49 of the Cheney Index indicates a rather tropical seaweed flora for Mozambique. This seaweed flora update is important from a biodiversity census perspective, as well as identifying species with economic potential.