Abstract

The E. N. Huyck Preserve spans 2,000 acres in Albany County, New York State, and has lake, pond, stream, and wetland habitats as well as a series of waterfalls. These habitats are well suited for freshwater red macroalgae. In May 2023, we identified 10 sites within the preserve that contained red algal taxa. The sites had basic pH (7.2–8.0), low conductivity (80–120 µS.cm⁻¹), moderate water temperature (12–19 °C), clear, colorless water, and a rocky bottom with varying canopy cover. Six species were identified from the 10 sites. Batrachospermum gelatinosum, Lemanea borealis, Sheathia americana, S. involuta, and Virescentia viride-americana were confirmed with rbcL gene sequence data as well as Audouinella hermannii from morphology alone. In addition to the collection of new specimens, a search of herbarium records yielded over 80 unique collections based on date and location information. The records stretch from the 1850s to 2020s with a notable gap in specimens from the mid 1970s to early 2000s. During the calendar year, March through September appeared to be the primary months of collection. The state of New York has records for 10 of the 16 genera from Batrachospermales, Thoreales and Acrochaetiales known in North America. This research has provided a comprehensive baseline freshwater red algal flora for the state based on new collections and data-mining from herbarium and literature records.