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The taxonomic composition and diversity of host and epiphytic macroalgal species are important elements in the structure and diversity of marine ecosystems. In this paper, the current state of knowledge and diversity of epiphytic macroalgae and their hosts in Cuba are determined. A systematic review of the scientific literature published from 1900 to 2018 was carried out. The current status of knowledge, main trends, composition, species richness and diversity in the different habitats and areas of the shelf were determined according to the records. We identified 37 publications dealing with the composition and diversity of epiphytism in macroalgae. The studies are grouped into two periods: the first one begins in 1955 addressing only the taxonomy; and the second one begins after 1989 focused on ecology. The flora of Cuban epiphytic macroalgae and hosts is 131 and 130 species, respectively. Habitats with greater structural complexity possess a greater richness of epiphytes, taxonomic structure and alpha diversity. The distribution patterns of epiphytic richness are influenced by both the sampling bias and the limited approach to epiphytism in phycological studies. The average taxonomic distinction ( Δ + ) expected for the habitats and zones of the Cuban shelf is 82, with 95% confidence limits between 77.21 and 100. Differences in species richness are the component that contributes most significantly to increasing the beta diversity of the epiphytic macroalgae due to the high environmental heterogeneity.

The aim of this study was to carry out a taxonomic survey of red marine benthic algae that occur in the littoral zone of central-southern Cuba. The samplings were performed in the period 2010–2012at 12 stations predominantly in reef environments. A total of 81 taxa were recorded and distributed in 9 orders and 24 families. Ceramiales was the most represented order with 38 taxa, followed by Corallinales with nine taxa. Hypoglossum caloglossoides represents a new record for Cuban benthic marine algae. Forty-nine species of macroalgae are new additions to the flora of reef environments from the central-southern region of Cuba. Sixty species of the region are provided in Figures (2–61). Dichotomaria obtusata was the most common species found. Some species such as Ceramium fujianum, Gloiocladia iyoensis, Griffithsia schousboei var. anastomosans and Dasya ocellata have been found in Cuba only in the central-southern region. Calcified crustose and articulated coralline algae were found to be common in the coral reef locations, while filamentous turfs and fleshy or frondose macroalgae were commonly found in the stations of shallow or intertidal waters. The floristic composition of red marine benthic algae indicates the central-southern coast of Cuban archipelago as a site of elevated species richness and that its coral reef environments are in a status of good health due to prevalence of calcareous coralline macroalgae.