Abstract
The Gigartinaceae (Rhodophyta) is represented in New Zealand by at
least 23 species, the systematic relationships and taxonomy of which are
still incompletely understood. There is very high endemism in this group,
with only two species reported from areas outside the New Zealand region,
and the majority restricted to portions of the New Zealand archipelago.
There have been detailed studies of the polysaccharides of New Zealand
members of this family, with a view to identifying possible commercial
applications and novel taxonomic markers. In this review the systematics,
distribution, cell wall chemistry and potential commercial use of members of
this family from New
Zealand are discussed.
