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First record of the red alga Ceramium pallidum (Ceramiales, Ceramiaceae) for the Mediterranean Sea

  • Jihan El-khattabi

    Jihan El-khattabi is currently a PhD candidate in the Biology Department of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tétouan, Morocco. Specialized in phycology and marine biodiversity, Jihan’s PhD project investigates diversity and valorization of marine algae in the Moroccan Mediterranean Sea.

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    , Mustapha Hassoun

    Mustapha Hassoun is a PhD researcher in the Biology Department of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University. He is a marine biologist specializing in the systematics of macroalgae. His research interests focus on the study of algal populations of the Moroccan coasts.

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    , Ijlal Raissouni

    Ijlal Raissouni is currently a PhD student in the Biology Department of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University. Specialized in studying airborne biological particles, more specifically plant pollen, she is interested in the impact of climate change on the seasonal parameters of these particles, in particular timing and intensity. She is also concerned with forecasting these parameters to enable allergy sufferers to adopt precautions.

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    and Hassan Bouziane

    Hassan Bouziane is currently a professor in the Biology Department of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University. He obtained his PhD in biology. His research focuses on botany-thallophytes.

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Published/Copyright: May 23, 2025

Abstract

In this paper, the red macroalga Ceramium pallidum is reported and described for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea. Specimens of C. pallidum were collected in the lower intertidal zone from Jebha on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. The material was examined in detail and compared with congeners. Descriptions of morphological and reproductive features with taxonomic remarks are provided, accompanied by photographs. Furthermore, a key for all the Mediterranean taxa of non-spinose Ceramium is presented. The total number of taxa at both specific and infraspecific levels accepted in the genus Ceramium for the Mediterranean Sea is 31.


Corresponding author: Jihan El-khattabi, Laboratory of Biology, Ecology and Health, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Mhannech II, BP. 2121, Tétouan, Morocco, E-mail:

About the authors

Jihan El-khattabi

Jihan El-khattabi is currently a PhD candidate in the Biology Department of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tétouan, Morocco. Specialized in phycology and marine biodiversity, Jihan’s PhD project investigates diversity and valorization of marine algae in the Moroccan Mediterranean Sea.

Mustapha Hassoun

Mustapha Hassoun is a PhD researcher in the Biology Department of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University. He is a marine biologist specializing in the systematics of macroalgae. His research interests focus on the study of algal populations of the Moroccan coasts.

Ijlal Raissouni

Ijlal Raissouni is currently a PhD student in the Biology Department of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University. Specialized in studying airborne biological particles, more specifically plant pollen, she is interested in the impact of climate change on the seasonal parameters of these particles, in particular timing and intensity. She is also concerned with forecasting these parameters to enable allergy sufferers to adopt precautions.

Hassan Bouziane

Hassan Bouziane is currently a professor in the Biology Department of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University. He obtained his PhD in biology. His research focuses on botany-thallophytes.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: All authors contributed to the fieldwork, morphological analyses and manuscript writing. All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: Not applicable.

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Received: 2024-10-26
Accepted: 2025-03-20
Published Online: 2025-05-23
Published in Print: 2025-06-26

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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