Marine macroalgal biodiversity of northern Madagascar: morpho-genetic systematics and implications of anthropic impacts for conservation

A floristic survey of the marine algal biodiversity Antsiranana Bay, northern Madagascar, was conducted during November 2018. This represents first inventory encompassing three major macroalgal classes (Phaeophyceae, Florideophyceae and Ulvophyceae) for little-known Malagasy flora. Combining morphological DNA-based approaches, we report from our collection a total 110 species including 30 Phaeophyceae, 50 Ulvophyceae. Barcoding chloroplast-encoded rbcL gene used classes, in addition to tufA study significantly increases knowledge while augmenting reference libraries DNA barcoding. These efforts resulted 72 new records Madagascar. own data with literature, also provide an updated catalogue 442 taxa benthic macroalgae comprising 85 1 Compsopogonophyceae, 240 116 diversity holds 29 (ca. 6.5%) endemic Our results are discussed context increasing threats on Madagascar’s coastal reefs both anthropic anthropogenic activities sewage effluent runoffs unsustainable agricultural practices such as massive deforestation, leading ecosystem shifts dominance reefs, which recommended be addressed through integrated land-sea management Reef-to-Ridge conservation approach.