The marine ecology is unusually varied for an area of this size, as a result of the meeting of two major oceanic water masses near
Cape Point, and the park extends into two coastal marine
bioregions. The ecology of the west or "Atlantic Seaboard" side of the Cape Peninsula is noticeably different in character and
biodiversity to that of the east, or "
False Bay" side. Both sides are classified as temperate waters, but there is a significant difference in average temperature, with the Atlantic side being noticeably colder on average.[1]
List ordering and
taxonomy complies where possible with the current usage in
Algaebase, and may differ from the cited source, as listed citations are primarily for range or existence of records for the region.
Sub-taxa within any given
taxon are arranged alphabetically as a general rule.
Details of each species may be available through the relevant internal links.
Synonyms may be listed where useful.
Purple laver, Porphyra capensis Kützing 1843,[4] (Abundant on whole of west coast extending into Namibia and along south coast of Western and Eastern Cape. Endemic)[3][5]
Pyropia gardneri (G.M.Smith & Hollenberg) S.C.Lindstrom in Sutherland et al. 2011, syn. Porphyrella gardneri G.M.Smith & Hollenberg 1943, Porphyra gardneri (G.M.Smith & Hollenberg) M.W.Hawkes 1977,[6] (Cape of Good Hope to Brandfontein)[3]
Pyropia saldanhae (Stegenga, J.J.Bolton & R.J.Anderson) J.E.Sutherland in Sutherland et al. 2011, syn. Porphyra saldanhae Stegenga, Bolton & R.J.Anderson 1997,[7] (Hondeklip Bay and Olifantsbos, endemic)[3]
Erythrotrichia carnea (Dillwyn) J.Agardh 1883, syn. Erythrocladia carnea, Conferva carnea Dillwyn 1807, Bangia ciliaris subsp. pulchella (Harvey) De Toni 1897,[10] (Probably fairly common, but South African distribution uncertain)[3]
Erythrotrichia welwitschii (Ruprecht) Batters 1902, syn. Cruoria welwitschii Ruprecht 1850,[11] (Cape of Good Hope and False Bay extending eastwards at least as far as Port Elizabeth)[3]
Membranella africana Stegenga, Bolton & Anderson 1997,[12] (Cape of Good Hope at least as far as Port Alfred)[3]
Antithamnionella verticillata (Suhr) Lyle 1922, syn. Callithamnion vertillatum Suhr 1840, Antithamnion verticillatum (Suhr) De Toni 1903,[39] (Swartklip in False Bay to Transkei)[3]
Bornetia repens Stegenga 1985,[40] (Swartklip in False Bay to Transkei, possibly KwaZulu-Natal)[3]
Callithamnion stuposum Suhr 1840, syn. Phlebothamnion stuposum (Suhr) Kützing 1843, Spongoclonium stuposum (Suhr) De Toni 1903,[42] (Rare on weat coast, common on south coast and KwaZulu-Natal at least as far north as Mabibi)[43]
Flaccid kelp-weed, Carpoblepharis flaccida (J.V.Lamouroux) Kützing 1849, syn. Ptilota flaccida (J.V.Lamouroux) C.Agardh 1822, Delesseria flaccida J.V.Lamouroux 1813,[44] (Namibia to the Kei river, Southern African endemic)[3][5]
Ceramium glanduliferum Kylin 1938,[55] (Sea Point on Cape Peninsula eastward into KwaZulu-Natal, Southern African endemic)[3]
Coarse ceramium, Ceramium obsoletum C.Agardh 1828,[56] (From Namibia south and eastwards along the whole Cape South coast, Southern African endemic)[3][5]
Acrosorium acrospermum (J.Agardh) Kylin 1938, Plain acrosorium, syn. Nitophyllum ascospermum J.Agardh 1852,[75] (False Bay to Eastern Cape, endemic)[3][5]
Acrosorium maculatum (Sonder ex Kützing) Papenfuss 1940, syn. Aglaophyllum maculatum Sonder ex Kützing 1866, Nitophyllum uncinatum var. maculatum (Sonder ex Kützing) De Toni 1900,[76] (Southern Cape Peninsula to KwaZulu-Natal)[3]
Acrosorium ciliolatum (Harvey) Kylin 1924, crled acrosorium, syn. Nitophyllum ciliolatum Harvey 1855, Aglaophyllum ciliolatum (Harvey) Kützing 1869, Nitophyllum venulosum Zanardini 1866, Acrosorium venulosum (Zanardini) Kylin 1924,[77] (as A. venulosum, Kommetjie to KwaZulu-Natal)[3] (as A. ciliatum, Kommetjie eastward extending into KwaZulu-Natal at least as far as Sodwana Bay)[43][5]
Bartoniella crenata (J.Agardh ex Mazza) Kylin 1924, syn. Phitymophora crenata J.Agardh ex Mazza 1908,[79] (Muizenberg and Cape Hangklip at least as far as Mission Rocks, endemic)[3][43]
Martensia elegans Hering 1841, syn. Capraella elegans (Harvey) J.De Toni 1936, Mesotrema elegans (Hering) Papenfuss 1942,[85] (Common south coast species, extending into KwaZulu-Natal at least as far as Sodwana Bay)[43]
Bostrychia intricata (Bory de Saint-Vincent) Montagne 1852, syn. Scytonema intricatum Bory de Saint-Vincent 1828, Stictosiphonia intricata (Bory de Saint-Vincent) P.C.Silva 1996,[94] (Saldanha Bay, Kommetjie on Cape Peninsula eastward along whole of south coast)[3]
Kelp fern, Carradoriella virgata (C.Agardh) P.C.Silva, 1996, recorded as syn. Polysiphonia virgata (C.Agardh) Sprengel 1827,[5] syn. Hutchinsia virgata C.Agardh 1824, Carradoria virgata (C.Agardh) Kylin 1956,[95] (Namibia to Brandfontein)[3][96]
Cape chondria, Chondria capensis (Harvey) Askenasy 1888, syn. Laurencia capensis Harvey 1849, Chondriopsis capensis (Harvey) J.Agardh 1863,[97] (Namibia to just east of Cape Agulhas. Southern African endemic.)[3][5]
Herposiphonia didymosporangia Stegenga & Kemperman 1987,[99] (St James, Brandfontein and coast of De Hoop nature reserve, Southern African endemic)[3]
Herposiphonia heringii (Harvey) Falkenberg 1901, syn. Polysiphonia heringii Harvey 1847,[100] (Between Hondeklipbaai and St James, endemic)[3]
Herposiphonia secunda (C.Agardh) Ambronn 1880, syn. Hutchinsia secunda C.Agardh 1824, Polysiphonia secunda (C.Agardh) Zanardini 1840, Herposiphonia tenella f. secunda (C.Agardh) Hollenberg 1968,[101] (Muizenberg, Cape Agulhas eastward to the tropics)[3]
Flexuose laurencia, Laurencia flexuosa Kützing 1849,[102] (False Bay to KwaZulu-Natal at least as far north as Mabibi, endemic))[3][43][5]
Placophora binderi (J.Agardh) J.Agardh 1863, syn. Amansia binderi J.Agardh 1841, Micramansia binderi (J.Agardh) Kützing 1865,[107] (Kalk Bay on the Cape Peninsula extending along south and east coast to southern Mozambique)[3][43]
Placophora monocarpa (Montagne) Papenfuss 1956, syn. Polysiphonia monocarpa Montagne 1842,[108] (Melkbosstrand to Strandfontein in False Bay, possibly further east, endemic)[3]
Anotrichium tenue (C.Agardh) Nägeli 1862, syn. Griffithsia tenuis C.Agardh 1828,[122] (Doring Bay to Cape Agulhas and further east to KwaZulu-Natal)[3]
Gymnothamnion elegans (Schousboe ex C.Agardh) J.Agardh 1892, syn. Callithamnion elegans Schousboe ex C.Agardh 1828,[124] (Bakoven on Cape Peninsula to KwaZulu-Natal)[3]
Pleonosporium filicinum (Harvey ex J.Agardh) De Toni 1903, syn. Halothamnion filicinum Harvey ex J.Agardh 1876,[128] (Swartklip in False Bay to Natal, Southern African endemic)[3]
Pleonosporium harveyanum (J.Agardh) De Toni 1903, syn. Halothamnion harveyanum J.Agardh 1876,[129] (Namibia to East London, Southern African endemic)[3]
Arthrocardia flabellata (Kützing) Manza 1940, syn. Corallina flabellata Kützing 1858,[144] (Probably along most of the southern African coast)[3] (Probably along the entire South African coast extending into Mozambique)[43]
Arthrocardia filicula (Lamarck) Johansen 1984, syn. Corallina filicula Lamarck 1815, Cheilosporum palmatum var. filicula (Lamarck) Yendo 1902,[145] (Namibia and west coast)[3]
Scrolled coralline crust, Spongites impar (Foslie) Y.M.Chamberlain 1994, syn. Lithophyllum impar Foslie 1909,[162] (Cape St. Martin just south of St. Helena Bay, Western Cape, to Oudekraal, western Cape Peninsula, Western Cape.)[148][5]
Cochlear coralline crust, Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Y.M.Chamberlain 1993, syn. Lithophyllum yendoi (Foslie) Foslie 1900, Goniolithon yendoi Foslie 1900, Lithothamnion yendoi (Foslie) Lemoine 1965, Pseudolithophyllum yendoi (Foslie) Adey 1970,[163] (Throughout South Africa (Namibia to the Mozambican border). Most abundant along the southern west and south coasts, becoming less common toward the east.)[148][5]
Fern-leafed jelly-weed, Gelidium pteridifolium R.E.Norris, Hommersand & Fredericq 1987,[169] (Glencairn, Cape Hangklip, Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal up to Tinley Manor just north of Durban)[3][43][5]
Turf jelly-weed, Gelidium reptans (Suhr) Kylin 1938, syn. Phyllophora reptans Suhr 1841,[170] (Cape Peninsula and False Bay to KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique)[3][43][5]
Red ribbons, Gelidium vittatum (Linnaeus) Kützing 1843, syn. Fucus vittatus Linnaeus 1767, Suhria vittata (Linnaeus) Endlicher 1843, Chaetangium vittatum (Linnaeus) P.G.Parkinson 1981,[171] (Möwe Bay, Nabibia to Brandfontein, drift specimens to Port Elizabeth)[3][5]
Red tongue-weed, Gigartina bracteata (S.G.Gmelin) Setchell & N.L.Gardner 1933, syn. Fucus bracteatus S.G.Gmelin 1768,[179] (Namibia to Cape of Good Hope, drift material from Muizenberg, Southern African endemic)[3][5]
Gigartina insignis (Endlicher & Diesing) F.Schmitz in E.S.Barton 1896, syn. Iridaea insignis Endlicher & Diesing 1845,[180] (Muizenberg, Cape Hangklip to Kowie River, Southern African endemic)[3]
Gigartina pistillata (S.G.Gmelin) Stackhouse 1809, syn. Fucus pistillatus S.G.Gmelin 1768,[181] (Smitswinkel Bay and Swartklip east to the Kowie area)[3]
Iridaea convoluta (Areschoug ex J Agardh) Hewitt 1960, syn. Gigartina convoluta Areschoug ex J.Agardh 1899,[185] (Table Bay to Cape of Good Hope, endemic)[3]
Spotted mazzaella, Mazzaella capensis (J.Agardh) Fredericq in Hommersand et al. 1993, Iridaea capensis J.Agardh 1848, Iridophycus capensis (J.Agardh) Setchell & N.L.Gardner 1936, Gigartina capensis (J.Agardh) D.H.Kim 1976,[186] (Port Nolloth to Cape Agulhas, extending into Namibia, Southern African endemic)[3][5]
Ahnfeltiopsis intermedia (Kylin) Stegenga, Bolton & R.J.Anderson 1997, gymnogongrus,[5] syn. Gymnogongrus intermedius Kylin 1938,[199] (Kalk Bay, Sea Point and possibly Keurboomstrand in Plettenberg Bay)[3]
Ahnfeltiopsis polyclada (Kützing) P.C.Silva & DeCew 1992, fine gymnogongrus,[5] syn. Chondrus polycladus Kützing 1849, Gymnogongrus polycladus (Kützing) J.Agardh 1851,[200] (False Bay to Brandfontein, possibly Melkbosstrand and Postberg)[3]
Ahnfeltiopsis vermicularis (C.Agardh) P.C.Silva & DeCew 1992, fine gymnogongrus, [5]syn. Sphaerococcus vermicularis C.Agardh 1817, Gymnogongrus vermicularis (C.Agardh) J.Agardh 1851,[201] (Hondeklipbaai to False Bay, South African endemic)[3]
Portieria hornemannii (Lyngbye) P.C.Silva in P.C. Silva, Meñez & Moe 1987, syn. Desmia hornemannii Lyngbye 1819, Chondrococcus hornemannii (Lyngbye) F.Schmitz 1895,[203] (Table Bay, False Bay, south and east coast, extending into Mozambique)[3][43][5]
Gracilaria verrucosa (Hudson) Papenfuss 1950, syn. Fucus verrucosus Hudson 1762,[205] (recorded from: St Helena Bay, Velddrif, Saldanha Bay, Langebaan Lagoon, Table Bay, False bay, Swartkops River)[3]
Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis(Bory de Saint-Vincent) E.Y.Dawson, Acleto & Foldvik 1964, syn. Gigartina lemaneiformis Bory de Saint-Vincent 1828, Gracilaria lemaneiformis (Bory de Saint-Vincent) Greville 1830, Cordylecladia lemanaeformis (Bory de Saint-Vincent) M.A.Howe 1914,[206] (Simon's Town in False Bay)[3]
Grateloupia filicina (J.V.Lamouroux) C.Agardh 1822, syn. Delesseria filicina J.V.Lamouroux 1813,[209] (Whole west coast and south coast to Eastern Cape as far as the Kowie area)[3]
Red rubber-weed, Pachymenia carnosa (J.Agardh) J.Agardh 1876, syn. Platymenia carnosa J.Agardh 1848. Iridaea carnosa (J.Agardh) Kützing 1849, Schizymenia carnosa (J.Agardh) J.Agardh 1851,[211] (Whole west coast into Namibia, eastward to Brandtfontein)[3][5]
Pachymenia cornea (Kützing) Chiang 1970, syn. Iridaea cornea Kützing 1867, Cyrtymenia cornea (Kützing) F.Schmitz 1897, Phyllymenia cornea (Kützing) Setchell & Gardner 1936,[212] (Doring Bay to East London)[3]
Pachymenia orbitosa (Suhr) L.K.Russell in L.K. Russell et al. 2009, slippery orbits,[5] syn. Iridaea orbitosa Suhr 1840, Aeodes orbitosa (Suhr) F.Schmitz 1894,[213] (Whole Cape west coast, extending into Namibia, and eastward at least as far as Cape Agulhas, endemic)[3]
Corrugated red algae, Phyllymenia belangeri (Bory de Saint-Vincent) Setchell & N.L.Gardner, 1936 recorded as syn. Grateloupia belangeri (Bory de Saint-Vincent) De Clerck, Gavio, Fredericq, Cocquyt & Coppejans, 2005, syn. Iridaea belangeri Bory de Saint-Vincent 1834, [214] (Whole west coast extending into Namibia. Southernmost record from Platboombaai, endemic)[3] (TMNPMPA)[5][215]
Tattered rag-weed, Phyllymenia capensis (O.De Clerck) Gargiulo, M.Morabito & Manghisi, 2013, (TMNPMPA) recorded as syn. Grateloupia capensis O.De Clerck, 2005.[5][216]
Constricted polyopes, Polyopes constrictus (Turner) J.Agardh 1851, syn. Fucus constrictus Turner 1809, Sphaerococcus constrictus (Turner) C.Agardh 1822, Gelidium constrictum (Turner) Kützing 1849,[217] (Doring Bay to Kei River mouth)[3][5]
Compressed champia. Champia compressa Harvey 1838,[245] (False Bay eastward to northern KwaZulu-Natal and extending into Mozambique. Rarer on west side of Cape Peninsula and also found at Kraalbaai and Paternoster)[3][43][5]
Botryocladia paucivesicaria Stegenga, Bolton & R.J.Anderson 1997,[248] (Known from drift specimens collected on the west side of Cape peninsula at Noordhoek Beach and Olifantsbos, endemic)[3]
Rhodymenia holmesii Ardissone 1893, (drift material from Olifantsbos)[3][250] (Southern half of the Cape Peninsula, endemic)[3]
Stalked roseweed, Rhodymenia natalensis Kylin 1938,[251] (From Namibia along the whole of the South African coast extending into southern Mozambique)[3][43][5]
Broad wine weed, Rhodymenia obtusa (Greville) Womersley 1996, syn. Phyllophora obtusa Greville 1831, Epymenia obtusa (Greville) Kützing 1849,[252] (Muizenberg and the southern Cape Peninsula to Namibia)[3][5]
^
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzDe Clerck, O., Tronchin, E.M., and Schils, T. in De Clerck, O., Bolton, J.J., Anderson, R. J. & Coppejans, E. 2005. Guide to the Seaweeds of KwazZulu-Natal. Scripta Botanica Belgica Volume 33. Joint publication of: National Botanical gardens of Belgium, VLIZ
Flanders Marine Institute and Flemish Community.
ISBN90-72619-64-1
^M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 2012. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway.
http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 24 February 2012
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Ceramium atrorubescens Kylin, 1938. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=371747 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Callithamnion stuposum Suhr, 1840. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=214088 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Paraglossum papenfussii (M.J.Wynne) S.-M.Lin, Fredericq & Hommersand, 2012. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=838030 on 2023-10-14
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Polysiphonia virgata (C.Agardh) Sprengel, 1827. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=371629 on 2023-10-14
^
abcdefghijkG.W. Maneveldt, Y.M. Chamberlain, D.W. Keats, (2008), A catalogue with keys to the non-geniculate coralline algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) of South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 74, 555–566
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Jania adhaerens J.V.Lamouroux, 1816. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=145123 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Gelidium abbottiorum R.E.Norris, 1990. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=212185 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Gigartina polycarpa (Kützing) Setchell & N.L.Gardner, 1933. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=213956 on 2023-10-13
^Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Gigartina scabiosa (Kützing) Papenfuss. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=381408 on 2023-10-13 K
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Mazzaella convoluta (Areschoug ex J.Agardh) Hommersand, 1994. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=371713 on 2023-10-14
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Gracilaria gracilis (Stackhouse) Steentoft, L.M.Irvine & Farnham, 1995. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=145700 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Grateloupia longifolia Kylin, 1938. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=373520 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Grateloupia belangeri (Bory de Saint-Vincent) De Clerck, Gavio, Fredericq, Cocquyt & Coppejans, 2005. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=381649 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Grateloupia capensis O. De Clerck, 2005. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=376854 on 2023-10-13
^M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 31 August 2015. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway.
https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 14 October 2023
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Leptophytum foveatum Y.M.Chamberlain & D.W.Keats, 1994. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=495225 on 2023-10-14
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Champia lumbricalis (Linnaeus) Desvaux, 1809. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=214029 on 2023-10-13
'^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Heydrichia woelkerlingii R.A.Townsend, Y.M.Chamberlain & Keats, 1994. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=213933 on 2023-10-13
The marine ecology is unusually varied for an area of this size, as a result of the meeting of two major oceanic water masses near
Cape Point, and the park extends into two coastal marine
bioregions. The ecology of the west or "Atlantic Seaboard" side of the Cape Peninsula is noticeably different in character and
biodiversity to that of the east, or "
False Bay" side. Both sides are classified as temperate waters, but there is a significant difference in average temperature, with the Atlantic side being noticeably colder on average.[1]
List ordering and
taxonomy complies where possible with the current usage in
Algaebase, and may differ from the cited source, as listed citations are primarily for range or existence of records for the region.
Sub-taxa within any given
taxon are arranged alphabetically as a general rule.
Details of each species may be available through the relevant internal links.
Synonyms may be listed where useful.
Purple laver, Porphyra capensis Kützing 1843,[4] (Abundant on whole of west coast extending into Namibia and along south coast of Western and Eastern Cape. Endemic)[3][5]
Pyropia gardneri (G.M.Smith & Hollenberg) S.C.Lindstrom in Sutherland et al. 2011, syn. Porphyrella gardneri G.M.Smith & Hollenberg 1943, Porphyra gardneri (G.M.Smith & Hollenberg) M.W.Hawkes 1977,[6] (Cape of Good Hope to Brandfontein)[3]
Pyropia saldanhae (Stegenga, J.J.Bolton & R.J.Anderson) J.E.Sutherland in Sutherland et al. 2011, syn. Porphyra saldanhae Stegenga, Bolton & R.J.Anderson 1997,[7] (Hondeklip Bay and Olifantsbos, endemic)[3]
Erythrotrichia carnea (Dillwyn) J.Agardh 1883, syn. Erythrocladia carnea, Conferva carnea Dillwyn 1807, Bangia ciliaris subsp. pulchella (Harvey) De Toni 1897,[10] (Probably fairly common, but South African distribution uncertain)[3]
Erythrotrichia welwitschii (Ruprecht) Batters 1902, syn. Cruoria welwitschii Ruprecht 1850,[11] (Cape of Good Hope and False Bay extending eastwards at least as far as Port Elizabeth)[3]
Membranella africana Stegenga, Bolton & Anderson 1997,[12] (Cape of Good Hope at least as far as Port Alfred)[3]
Antithamnionella verticillata (Suhr) Lyle 1922, syn. Callithamnion vertillatum Suhr 1840, Antithamnion verticillatum (Suhr) De Toni 1903,[39] (Swartklip in False Bay to Transkei)[3]
Bornetia repens Stegenga 1985,[40] (Swartklip in False Bay to Transkei, possibly KwaZulu-Natal)[3]
Callithamnion stuposum Suhr 1840, syn. Phlebothamnion stuposum (Suhr) Kützing 1843, Spongoclonium stuposum (Suhr) De Toni 1903,[42] (Rare on weat coast, common on south coast and KwaZulu-Natal at least as far north as Mabibi)[43]
Flaccid kelp-weed, Carpoblepharis flaccida (J.V.Lamouroux) Kützing 1849, syn. Ptilota flaccida (J.V.Lamouroux) C.Agardh 1822, Delesseria flaccida J.V.Lamouroux 1813,[44] (Namibia to the Kei river, Southern African endemic)[3][5]
Ceramium glanduliferum Kylin 1938,[55] (Sea Point on Cape Peninsula eastward into KwaZulu-Natal, Southern African endemic)[3]
Coarse ceramium, Ceramium obsoletum C.Agardh 1828,[56] (From Namibia south and eastwards along the whole Cape South coast, Southern African endemic)[3][5]
Acrosorium acrospermum (J.Agardh) Kylin 1938, Plain acrosorium, syn. Nitophyllum ascospermum J.Agardh 1852,[75] (False Bay to Eastern Cape, endemic)[3][5]
Acrosorium maculatum (Sonder ex Kützing) Papenfuss 1940, syn. Aglaophyllum maculatum Sonder ex Kützing 1866, Nitophyllum uncinatum var. maculatum (Sonder ex Kützing) De Toni 1900,[76] (Southern Cape Peninsula to KwaZulu-Natal)[3]
Acrosorium ciliolatum (Harvey) Kylin 1924, crled acrosorium, syn. Nitophyllum ciliolatum Harvey 1855, Aglaophyllum ciliolatum (Harvey) Kützing 1869, Nitophyllum venulosum Zanardini 1866, Acrosorium venulosum (Zanardini) Kylin 1924,[77] (as A. venulosum, Kommetjie to KwaZulu-Natal)[3] (as A. ciliatum, Kommetjie eastward extending into KwaZulu-Natal at least as far as Sodwana Bay)[43][5]
Bartoniella crenata (J.Agardh ex Mazza) Kylin 1924, syn. Phitymophora crenata J.Agardh ex Mazza 1908,[79] (Muizenberg and Cape Hangklip at least as far as Mission Rocks, endemic)[3][43]
Martensia elegans Hering 1841, syn. Capraella elegans (Harvey) J.De Toni 1936, Mesotrema elegans (Hering) Papenfuss 1942,[85] (Common south coast species, extending into KwaZulu-Natal at least as far as Sodwana Bay)[43]
Bostrychia intricata (Bory de Saint-Vincent) Montagne 1852, syn. Scytonema intricatum Bory de Saint-Vincent 1828, Stictosiphonia intricata (Bory de Saint-Vincent) P.C.Silva 1996,[94] (Saldanha Bay, Kommetjie on Cape Peninsula eastward along whole of south coast)[3]
Kelp fern, Carradoriella virgata (C.Agardh) P.C.Silva, 1996, recorded as syn. Polysiphonia virgata (C.Agardh) Sprengel 1827,[5] syn. Hutchinsia virgata C.Agardh 1824, Carradoria virgata (C.Agardh) Kylin 1956,[95] (Namibia to Brandfontein)[3][96]
Cape chondria, Chondria capensis (Harvey) Askenasy 1888, syn. Laurencia capensis Harvey 1849, Chondriopsis capensis (Harvey) J.Agardh 1863,[97] (Namibia to just east of Cape Agulhas. Southern African endemic.)[3][5]
Herposiphonia didymosporangia Stegenga & Kemperman 1987,[99] (St James, Brandfontein and coast of De Hoop nature reserve, Southern African endemic)[3]
Herposiphonia heringii (Harvey) Falkenberg 1901, syn. Polysiphonia heringii Harvey 1847,[100] (Between Hondeklipbaai and St James, endemic)[3]
Herposiphonia secunda (C.Agardh) Ambronn 1880, syn. Hutchinsia secunda C.Agardh 1824, Polysiphonia secunda (C.Agardh) Zanardini 1840, Herposiphonia tenella f. secunda (C.Agardh) Hollenberg 1968,[101] (Muizenberg, Cape Agulhas eastward to the tropics)[3]
Flexuose laurencia, Laurencia flexuosa Kützing 1849,[102] (False Bay to KwaZulu-Natal at least as far north as Mabibi, endemic))[3][43][5]
Placophora binderi (J.Agardh) J.Agardh 1863, syn. Amansia binderi J.Agardh 1841, Micramansia binderi (J.Agardh) Kützing 1865,[107] (Kalk Bay on the Cape Peninsula extending along south and east coast to southern Mozambique)[3][43]
Placophora monocarpa (Montagne) Papenfuss 1956, syn. Polysiphonia monocarpa Montagne 1842,[108] (Melkbosstrand to Strandfontein in False Bay, possibly further east, endemic)[3]
Anotrichium tenue (C.Agardh) Nägeli 1862, syn. Griffithsia tenuis C.Agardh 1828,[122] (Doring Bay to Cape Agulhas and further east to KwaZulu-Natal)[3]
Gymnothamnion elegans (Schousboe ex C.Agardh) J.Agardh 1892, syn. Callithamnion elegans Schousboe ex C.Agardh 1828,[124] (Bakoven on Cape Peninsula to KwaZulu-Natal)[3]
Pleonosporium filicinum (Harvey ex J.Agardh) De Toni 1903, syn. Halothamnion filicinum Harvey ex J.Agardh 1876,[128] (Swartklip in False Bay to Natal, Southern African endemic)[3]
Pleonosporium harveyanum (J.Agardh) De Toni 1903, syn. Halothamnion harveyanum J.Agardh 1876,[129] (Namibia to East London, Southern African endemic)[3]
Arthrocardia flabellata (Kützing) Manza 1940, syn. Corallina flabellata Kützing 1858,[144] (Probably along most of the southern African coast)[3] (Probably along the entire South African coast extending into Mozambique)[43]
Arthrocardia filicula (Lamarck) Johansen 1984, syn. Corallina filicula Lamarck 1815, Cheilosporum palmatum var. filicula (Lamarck) Yendo 1902,[145] (Namibia and west coast)[3]
Scrolled coralline crust, Spongites impar (Foslie) Y.M.Chamberlain 1994, syn. Lithophyllum impar Foslie 1909,[162] (Cape St. Martin just south of St. Helena Bay, Western Cape, to Oudekraal, western Cape Peninsula, Western Cape.)[148][5]
Cochlear coralline crust, Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Y.M.Chamberlain 1993, syn. Lithophyllum yendoi (Foslie) Foslie 1900, Goniolithon yendoi Foslie 1900, Lithothamnion yendoi (Foslie) Lemoine 1965, Pseudolithophyllum yendoi (Foslie) Adey 1970,[163] (Throughout South Africa (Namibia to the Mozambican border). Most abundant along the southern west and south coasts, becoming less common toward the east.)[148][5]
Fern-leafed jelly-weed, Gelidium pteridifolium R.E.Norris, Hommersand & Fredericq 1987,[169] (Glencairn, Cape Hangklip, Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal up to Tinley Manor just north of Durban)[3][43][5]
Turf jelly-weed, Gelidium reptans (Suhr) Kylin 1938, syn. Phyllophora reptans Suhr 1841,[170] (Cape Peninsula and False Bay to KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique)[3][43][5]
Red ribbons, Gelidium vittatum (Linnaeus) Kützing 1843, syn. Fucus vittatus Linnaeus 1767, Suhria vittata (Linnaeus) Endlicher 1843, Chaetangium vittatum (Linnaeus) P.G.Parkinson 1981,[171] (Möwe Bay, Nabibia to Brandfontein, drift specimens to Port Elizabeth)[3][5]
Red tongue-weed, Gigartina bracteata (S.G.Gmelin) Setchell & N.L.Gardner 1933, syn. Fucus bracteatus S.G.Gmelin 1768,[179] (Namibia to Cape of Good Hope, drift material from Muizenberg, Southern African endemic)[3][5]
Gigartina insignis (Endlicher & Diesing) F.Schmitz in E.S.Barton 1896, syn. Iridaea insignis Endlicher & Diesing 1845,[180] (Muizenberg, Cape Hangklip to Kowie River, Southern African endemic)[3]
Gigartina pistillata (S.G.Gmelin) Stackhouse 1809, syn. Fucus pistillatus S.G.Gmelin 1768,[181] (Smitswinkel Bay and Swartklip east to the Kowie area)[3]
Iridaea convoluta (Areschoug ex J Agardh) Hewitt 1960, syn. Gigartina convoluta Areschoug ex J.Agardh 1899,[185] (Table Bay to Cape of Good Hope, endemic)[3]
Spotted mazzaella, Mazzaella capensis (J.Agardh) Fredericq in Hommersand et al. 1993, Iridaea capensis J.Agardh 1848, Iridophycus capensis (J.Agardh) Setchell & N.L.Gardner 1936, Gigartina capensis (J.Agardh) D.H.Kim 1976,[186] (Port Nolloth to Cape Agulhas, extending into Namibia, Southern African endemic)[3][5]
Ahnfeltiopsis intermedia (Kylin) Stegenga, Bolton & R.J.Anderson 1997, gymnogongrus,[5] syn. Gymnogongrus intermedius Kylin 1938,[199] (Kalk Bay, Sea Point and possibly Keurboomstrand in Plettenberg Bay)[3]
Ahnfeltiopsis polyclada (Kützing) P.C.Silva & DeCew 1992, fine gymnogongrus,[5] syn. Chondrus polycladus Kützing 1849, Gymnogongrus polycladus (Kützing) J.Agardh 1851,[200] (False Bay to Brandfontein, possibly Melkbosstrand and Postberg)[3]
Ahnfeltiopsis vermicularis (C.Agardh) P.C.Silva & DeCew 1992, fine gymnogongrus, [5]syn. Sphaerococcus vermicularis C.Agardh 1817, Gymnogongrus vermicularis (C.Agardh) J.Agardh 1851,[201] (Hondeklipbaai to False Bay, South African endemic)[3]
Portieria hornemannii (Lyngbye) P.C.Silva in P.C. Silva, Meñez & Moe 1987, syn. Desmia hornemannii Lyngbye 1819, Chondrococcus hornemannii (Lyngbye) F.Schmitz 1895,[203] (Table Bay, False Bay, south and east coast, extending into Mozambique)[3][43][5]
Gracilaria verrucosa (Hudson) Papenfuss 1950, syn. Fucus verrucosus Hudson 1762,[205] (recorded from: St Helena Bay, Velddrif, Saldanha Bay, Langebaan Lagoon, Table Bay, False bay, Swartkops River)[3]
Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis(Bory de Saint-Vincent) E.Y.Dawson, Acleto & Foldvik 1964, syn. Gigartina lemaneiformis Bory de Saint-Vincent 1828, Gracilaria lemaneiformis (Bory de Saint-Vincent) Greville 1830, Cordylecladia lemanaeformis (Bory de Saint-Vincent) M.A.Howe 1914,[206] (Simon's Town in False Bay)[3]
Grateloupia filicina (J.V.Lamouroux) C.Agardh 1822, syn. Delesseria filicina J.V.Lamouroux 1813,[209] (Whole west coast and south coast to Eastern Cape as far as the Kowie area)[3]
Red rubber-weed, Pachymenia carnosa (J.Agardh) J.Agardh 1876, syn. Platymenia carnosa J.Agardh 1848. Iridaea carnosa (J.Agardh) Kützing 1849, Schizymenia carnosa (J.Agardh) J.Agardh 1851,[211] (Whole west coast into Namibia, eastward to Brandtfontein)[3][5]
Pachymenia cornea (Kützing) Chiang 1970, syn. Iridaea cornea Kützing 1867, Cyrtymenia cornea (Kützing) F.Schmitz 1897, Phyllymenia cornea (Kützing) Setchell & Gardner 1936,[212] (Doring Bay to East London)[3]
Pachymenia orbitosa (Suhr) L.K.Russell in L.K. Russell et al. 2009, slippery orbits,[5] syn. Iridaea orbitosa Suhr 1840, Aeodes orbitosa (Suhr) F.Schmitz 1894,[213] (Whole Cape west coast, extending into Namibia, and eastward at least as far as Cape Agulhas, endemic)[3]
Corrugated red algae, Phyllymenia belangeri (Bory de Saint-Vincent) Setchell & N.L.Gardner, 1936 recorded as syn. Grateloupia belangeri (Bory de Saint-Vincent) De Clerck, Gavio, Fredericq, Cocquyt & Coppejans, 2005, syn. Iridaea belangeri Bory de Saint-Vincent 1834, [214] (Whole west coast extending into Namibia. Southernmost record from Platboombaai, endemic)[3] (TMNPMPA)[5][215]
Tattered rag-weed, Phyllymenia capensis (O.De Clerck) Gargiulo, M.Morabito & Manghisi, 2013, (TMNPMPA) recorded as syn. Grateloupia capensis O.De Clerck, 2005.[5][216]
Constricted polyopes, Polyopes constrictus (Turner) J.Agardh 1851, syn. Fucus constrictus Turner 1809, Sphaerococcus constrictus (Turner) C.Agardh 1822, Gelidium constrictum (Turner) Kützing 1849,[217] (Doring Bay to Kei River mouth)[3][5]
Compressed champia. Champia compressa Harvey 1838,[245] (False Bay eastward to northern KwaZulu-Natal and extending into Mozambique. Rarer on west side of Cape Peninsula and also found at Kraalbaai and Paternoster)[3][43][5]
Botryocladia paucivesicaria Stegenga, Bolton & R.J.Anderson 1997,[248] (Known from drift specimens collected on the west side of Cape peninsula at Noordhoek Beach and Olifantsbos, endemic)[3]
Rhodymenia holmesii Ardissone 1893, (drift material from Olifantsbos)[3][250] (Southern half of the Cape Peninsula, endemic)[3]
Stalked roseweed, Rhodymenia natalensis Kylin 1938,[251] (From Namibia along the whole of the South African coast extending into southern Mozambique)[3][43][5]
Broad wine weed, Rhodymenia obtusa (Greville) Womersley 1996, syn. Phyllophora obtusa Greville 1831, Epymenia obtusa (Greville) Kützing 1849,[252] (Muizenberg and the southern Cape Peninsula to Namibia)[3][5]
^
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzDe Clerck, O., Tronchin, E.M., and Schils, T. in De Clerck, O., Bolton, J.J., Anderson, R. J. & Coppejans, E. 2005. Guide to the Seaweeds of KwazZulu-Natal. Scripta Botanica Belgica Volume 33. Joint publication of: National Botanical gardens of Belgium, VLIZ
Flanders Marine Institute and Flemish Community.
ISBN90-72619-64-1
^M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 2012. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway.
http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 24 February 2012
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Ceramium atrorubescens Kylin, 1938. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=371747 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Callithamnion stuposum Suhr, 1840. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=214088 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Paraglossum papenfussii (M.J.Wynne) S.-M.Lin, Fredericq & Hommersand, 2012. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=838030 on 2023-10-14
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Polysiphonia virgata (C.Agardh) Sprengel, 1827. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=371629 on 2023-10-14
^
abcdefghijkG.W. Maneveldt, Y.M. Chamberlain, D.W. Keats, (2008), A catalogue with keys to the non-geniculate coralline algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) of South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 74, 555–566
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Jania adhaerens J.V.Lamouroux, 1816. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=145123 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Gelidium abbottiorum R.E.Norris, 1990. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=212185 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Gigartina polycarpa (Kützing) Setchell & N.L.Gardner, 1933. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=213956 on 2023-10-13
^Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Gigartina scabiosa (Kützing) Papenfuss. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=381408 on 2023-10-13 K
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Mazzaella convoluta (Areschoug ex J.Agardh) Hommersand, 1994. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=371713 on 2023-10-14
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Gracilaria gracilis (Stackhouse) Steentoft, L.M.Irvine & Farnham, 1995. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=145700 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Grateloupia longifolia Kylin, 1938. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=373520 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Grateloupia belangeri (Bory de Saint-Vincent) De Clerck, Gavio, Fredericq, Cocquyt & Coppejans, 2005. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=381649 on 2023-10-13
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Grateloupia capensis O. De Clerck, 2005. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=376854 on 2023-10-13
^M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 31 August 2015. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway.
https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 14 October 2023
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Leptophytum foveatum Y.M.Chamberlain & D.W.Keats, 1994. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=495225 on 2023-10-14
^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Champia lumbricalis (Linnaeus) Desvaux, 1809. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=214029 on 2023-10-13
'^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2023). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Heydrichia woelkerlingii R.A.Townsend, Y.M.Chamberlain & Keats, 1994. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at:
https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=213933 on 2023-10-13