Seasonal Studies of Florida Sublittoral Marine Algae

The seasonal occurrence and reproduction of the sublittoral seaweed populations at four Florida sites are described. A total of 180 taxa were collected, including 105 Rhodophyceae, 49 Chlorophyceae, and 26 Phaeophyceae. The two southern sites in the Florida Keys showed higher numbers of species than the two northern sites off the central West Coast of Florida. The red algae were the most diverse group at each site. Green algae were more numerous than brown algae at the two Florida Key sites. Several of the species recorded represent extensions of known distributional ranges. Peak numbers of species were recorded during the winter-spring, when maximum nutrients and low temperatures were apparent. The station with the widest temperature fluctuation showed the most dramatic seasonality. The monthly occurrence and reproduction of each seaweed at the four sites are summarized.