The marine species of Cladophora (Chlorophyta) from the South African East Coast

Twelve species of the genus Cladophora occur along the South African East Coast. Detailed descriptions and illustrations are presented. Four species are recorded for the first time in South Africa: C. catenata , C. vagabunda , C. horii and C. dotyana; the last two are also new records for the Indian Ocean. A comparison of the South African C. rugulosa specimens with specimens of C. prolifera from South Africa and other regions have shown that these species are not synonymous as previously considered, leading to the resurrection of C. rugulosa which is probably a South African endemic.