Concise review of the genus Hypnea J.V.Lamouroux, 1813

Abstract

The genus Hypnea (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) has currently 61 accepted species distributed in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions, growing in different habitats with a wide range of environmental factors and interactions with abiotic and biotic factors. Some Hypnea species are consumed by humans mostly in Asian and Indo-Pacific countries and are also exploited as raw material for kappa-carrageenan production, consequently, have been harvested and/or cultivated in several countries for decades. Hypnea musciformis has the widest geographical distribution around the world and it is the most studied species. However, more molecular studies on H. musciformis from different countries are necessary to understand the phenotypic plasticity and to reveal cryptic species. The present review is a compilation of information on taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, life history, distribution, ecology, physiology, cultivation and harvesting, chemical composition, and biotechnological applications. Although Hypnea species are well known as sources of carrageenans, reports on chemical diversity and biological activities highlight their remarkable potential for biotechnological applications.