The benthic algal flora on rocky substrata of the Egadi islands, a marine protected archipelago off the western coast of Sicily (Italy, Mediterranean Sea)

The results of a floristic study of the benthic algal flora on rocky substrata of the marine protected area of the Egadi islands off western Sicily, which had previously been studied in 1970s, are presented. The list of species consists of 200 Rhodophyta, 58 Ochrophyta (=Phaeophyta) and 27 Chlorophyta. Only 158 species of the present flora have been previously reported, while 110 of those previously reported were not found during the present study. Conversely, 127 species were newly found. For each species, the distribution in the archipelago, the season(s) and depth(s) of collection as well as the reproductive phenology, are given. The new combinations Audouinella mediterranea (=Chantransia mediterranea) and Umbraulva olivascens (=Ulva olivascens) are made.