Diversity and Distribution of Seaweeds in the West Bengal Coast, India

The marine ecosystem is one of the essential components of biodiversity and plays a vital role in the global life support systems. The coastline of West Bengal is c. 220 km in length in the Northern part of the East coast of India and supports the UNESCO heritage Mangrove site, i.e., Sundarban Biosphere Reserves. Seaweeds are marine macroalgae and play a crucial role in the marine food chain and sustainability of marine ecosystems. During the present study, 23 coastal localities were surveyed between 2019-2022, and 28 taxa of seaweeds were recorded, which include 20 taxa of Chlorophyceae (71%) and eight taxa of Rhodophyceae (29%). No, Phaeophyceae member was recorded. The crucial genera include Ulva, Chaetomorpha, Cladophora, Rhizoclonium, Codium, Gelidium, Gracilaria, Catenella, Ceramium, Bostrychia, and Polysiphonia. Further, a red alga Gracilaria gracilis (Gracilariaceae) has been reported here as a new addition to the seaweed flora of the state. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to discuss the diversity and distribution of seaweed resources in West Bengal.

• 28 taxa of Seaweeds recorded from the West Bengal coast.

• Gracilaria gracilis (Gracilariaceae) is reported as an addition to the algal flora of West Bengal.

• Sundarban Biosphere Reserves supports the maximum diversity of seaweeds in association with mangroves.