Aquatic Botany (1995) 52, 143-150
Diversity of the green algal genus Halimeda in the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean*
Edward A Drew
Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No 3, MSO, Townsville,
Queensland 4810, Australia
*Contribution No 722 from the Australian Institute of Marine Science
Abstract
Ten species of Halimeda were found at depths between 6 and 46 m on the outer reef slopes and in the lagoons of Peros Bahnos and Salomon Atolls in the north of the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean. This Halimeda flora is similar to that of mid-ocean Pacific reefs and considerably richer than elsewhere in the Indian Ocean. Halimeda minima (W.R.Taylor) L.H.Colinvaux is reported for the first time outside the Pacific Ocean.