Progress of the taxonomic research on the macroalgae (Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta) along the East African coast

This paper discusses the phycological research and gives a historical overview of papers dealing with macroalgae from the East African coast. A review of the recent progress towards a marine algal flora of the region is presented. Additionally a limited number of taxonomic problems are discussed, with emphasis on examples from Tanzania and Zanzibar. Problems comprise generic, specific and subspecific distinctions, perpetuation of wrong identifications from reference works , and checklists with doubtful identifications that lack voucher specimens. Finally a list of 91 new species for Kenya (23), Tanzania (24), the East African coast (26) and the Indian Ocean (18) is added.