Diversity of Eucheumatoids in the Philippines

Eucheumatoids have been farmed in the Philippines for more than half a century. Throughout this long history, cultivars have been developed and distributed across the country. Most of the available reports on Philippine eucheumatoids focus on the farmed species Eucheuma denticulatum, K. alvarezii and Kappaphycus striatus. Meanwhile, little is known about the native populations of unutilized eucheumatoid species. This chapter discusses what is known regarding the diversity and distribution of farmed and wild eucheumatoid species in the Philippines. Recommendations on future research studies are also made in response to some issues identified in this review.