| Summary: | Bibliography: leaves 194-214. === The diversity, biology and distribution of the red algal family Gelidiaceae (Rhodophyta) of South Africa (and related taxa) were investigated, being relatively poorly understood and taxonomically problematic. Prior to this study, 21 species in 6 genera were reported from South Africa Now there are 29 species in 3 genera (though molecular data indicates that there is possibly a new, undescribed genus) of which 16 are Gelidium species, 5 are Pterocladiella species and 8 are Ptilophora species. The phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status of the genera Beekerella, Ptilophora, Onikusa and Suhria, and various species within Gelidium and Pterocladiella, were reassessed.
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