New additions to the phycological herbarium of the Marine Science Institute, Federal University of Ceará, Brazil

Abstract

In this paper, a description is made of the processo f reorganization and maintenance of the phycological herbarium of the Marine Science Institute, Federal university of Ceará, Brazil, with new additions to the preserved seaweed species being reported. All specimens were classified as to division, order, Family, genus and species, sorted out in lots, and the labels in the excicates were corrected and numbered. Overall, 302 lots and 325 specimens of marine algae distributed amongst 30 orders, 68 families, 139 genera and 235 species were added to the herbarium, out of which 6 orders, 20 families, 48 genera and 120 species were mentioned for the first time. Division Rodophyta contributed with 60.6% of the lots, 59.4% of the specimens and 58,7% of the species. Divison Chlorophyta, with 19.9% of the lots, 21.9% of the specimens and 21.7% of the species. Division Phaeophyta, with 17.5% of the lots, 16.9% of the specimens and 17.0% of the species. Division Cyanophyta, with 1.7% of the lots, 1.5% of the specimens and 2.1% of the species. Division Xantophyta participates, but with a negligible contribution. As their origin, most lots and specimens came from abroad, but also from Ceará state anf other states of Brazil. As it stands in the year 2002, the phycological herbarium is made up pf 1,608 lots, 3,339 specimens and 447 species of marine algae.