Checklist of nanno- and microphytoplankton off Madeira Island (Northeast Atlantic) with some historical notes

A list of phytoplankton taxa off Madeira Island (Northeast Atlantic) is provided, including historical records dating back to 1845. A total of 473 taxa was reported, with diatoms representing the main component of the phytoplankton community around Madeira Island with 55%, followed by the dinoflagellates with 33%, the haptophytes with 11%, cyanophytes with 1% and one planktonic chlorophyte. Compared to species numbers of the World Ocean, where diatoms equals more or less dinoflagellates, a discrepancy is observed. This could be due to the still scarce number of taxonomic studies dealing with phytoplankton. However, it provides a baseline for further studies of the regional marine phytoplankton community composition. It also constitutes valuable basic information for future assessments within management instruments like the European Water Framework Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and national regulations concerning marine food safety in light of first reports of Harmful Algae Blooms and related intoxications.