MORPHOTAXONOMY AND ECOLOGY OF MARINE RED ALGAE FROM THE MAKRAN COAST OF PAKISTAN

The Makran coast of Balochistan was thoroughly surveyed for marine algae. The collection was made from six locations along coastline of Pasni, Gwadar, Singhar, Pishukan, Sur Bunder and Jiwani areas. Abundant algal flora was found during this study in 2017-18. Seventeen red seaweeds were identified from the Makran coast namely i.e., Galaxaura rugosa, Gracilaria spicifera, Polysiphonia fucoides, Laurencia pinnatifida, Sarcodia dichotoma. Three species are recorded for the first time from Pakistan, these include Galaxaura rugosa, Agardhiella subulata, and Rhodymenia pseudopalmata. Ecological distribution and morpho-taxonomic description of these species is given here. Most of the species were found drifted at the shore. However, some red algal species were found attached to stones or rocks during spring season.