Morpholoy, anatomy and morphological diversity of Hypnea genus in the Persian Gulf

Hypnea is an red alga commercially cultivated in various parts of the world for the production of carrageenan. Different species of this genus are present in subtidal zone of worm water. The genus includes about 53 species worldwide that have been reported in approximately 9 species of algae from Iran. In Iran¡ species of this genus are growing on rocks¡ stones¡ shells or epiphytic on other algae. The present study considers assessment of morphology¡ anatomy and morphological diversity of this alga. In this study 19 populations of 7 species of this genus were investigated. Morphology¡ anatomy and morphological diversity of the algae were assessed using 18 different qualitative and quantitative characters. Principal component analysis (Ordination) was carried out for all populations. The results showed that the size and habit are important for separating of species. Due to diagnostic characters an identification key for collected different species was provided. This study carried on in Iran for the first time.