Diversity of benthic macroalgae in the Colombian Pacific: a study of a rocky reef flora

The rocky reefs in the northern Choco (Colombian Pacific) are locally known as "riscales" and "morros" and represent suitable environments for the settlement of marine algae and other benthic biota. In this study, we report 55 taxa of macroalgae classified in 37 genera, 27 families, and four phyla. 21 of these taxa are new records for Colombia, and six are new records for the Colombian Pacific; the remaining 28 taxa have been previously reported in the region. With this preliminary study, we increase the number of recorded taxa in the macroalgal flora for this region of Colombia by 13%.