Checklist of Rhodophyta of the White Sea (the Arctic Ocean)
AbstractMost data on the White Sea flora are scattered in Russian publications and are largely inaccessible to researchers. The aim of the present work is to compile a checklist as well as to provide verification of the species composition of the Rhodophyta of the White Sea. This checklist is based on an exhaustive bibliographic search. As a result of a careful revision, a total of 61 species of Rhodophyta has been revealed, and 17 species and one forma were excluded on the basis of being doubtful records or misidentifications. The distribution of four species in the White Sea was clarified. Nineteen species occur throughout the White Sea, six species are widespread except for Mezen Bay, whereas seven taxa are restricted to the northern regions of the White Sea. The analysis of the species composition permits the red algal flora of the White Sea to be interpreted as representing the depleted Barents Sea flora. An extensive bibliography and data on the presence of the specimens in the Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences are given.