Batrachospermum Roth. (Rhodophyta), a genus of red algae new to Iowa

Batrachospermum, a floridean red alga, is formally reported from Iowa. Populations have been observed by several workers at nine localities in eight counties: Black Hawk, Bremer, Des Moines, Dickinson, Dubuque, Emmet, Hancock, and Webster. The habitats include permanent and intermittent streams, a distrophic lake, and prairie marshes. To date, the species include B. ectocarpum Sir. from a stream in Webster County , and an undescribed species from a prairie marsh in Black Hawk County. A discussion of the taxonomy and occurrence of Batrachospermum in Iowa in presented. With this report, four genera of freshwater red algae are known from Iowa