Rhodolith Diversity in Panama: A Baseline for Future Research and Conservation Actions

Abstract

Rhodoliths are calcareous red algae considered indicators of ocean acidification and key biodiversity hotspots due to their ability to host a variety of species within their three-dimensional structures. This work aims to review the available scientific literature on rhodolith-forming species: reports from literature, the Symbiota digital taxonomic inventory, field observations, and nucleotide databases. A total of 21 species is reported, predominantly from the Corallinaceae family and the Lithophylloideae subfamily. Rhodoliths have been reported in Bocas del Toro, the Gulf of Chiriqui, Coiba National Park (PNC), the Gulf of Panama, and at the Las Perlas Archipelago. This review represents the first step in raising awareness about the presence of these organisms along Panama’s coast and advocating for their inclusion in the management plans of protected areas, such as PNC, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where rhodoliths are not yet part of the recorded algae species list or the park’s conservation targets, despite their ecological relevance. Knowledge remains limited, and their conservation status is uncertain, but the increasing sampling efforts and integration of morphological and molecular studies will open new opportunities to improve the estimation of rhodolith diversity in Panama.

1. Introduction

Rhodoliths are free-living calcareous red algae primarily composed of calcium carbonate. These algae are considered habitat modifiers or oceanic bioengineers, as they provide a stable habitat for communities of other marine species within their three-dimensional branched and interlaced thalli [1]. As such, their ecological importance has drawn increasing attention to the need for their conservation.

According to Tuya et al. [2], rhodolith beds are globally distributed, occurring from tropical to polar regions, and they cover an estimated area of 4.12 million km² worldwide—approximately 20% larger than the estimated global area of tropical coral reefs, and between 2.5 to 30 times greater than other well-studied coastal habitats, such as kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and mangroves. Despite these figures, rhodolith bed science still lags behind other coastal ecosystems in terms of research efforts and ecological understanding.

Interest in the conservation of rhodoliths in other countries has increased due to their role as indicators of ocean acidification [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. Rhodolith beds are considered threatened and protected in coastal habitats of New Zealand, Europe, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico. However, in Central America, only Costa Rica has initiated research efforts on them. Notably, studies conducted around Isla del Coco have revealed the presence of extensive rhodolith beds, as documented by Díaz-Licona et al. [8]. These beds not only provide structural habitat and support high biodiversity but also play a crucial role in calcium carbonate production and the delivery of essential ecosystem services such as sediment generation, carbon cycling, and benthic habitat stabilization. These findings highlight the ecological importance of rhodolith beds in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and the urgent need for expanded conservation and research across Central America.

In contrast, Panama remains largely unexplored regarding rhodolith presence and diversity. This gap is particularly evident in the Coiba National Park (PNC), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a critical protected area that plays a significant role in the conservation of marine biodiversity in the region. Located off the southwest coast of Panama, in the Gulf of Chiriquí, the PNC harbors significant marine habitats, including coral/algal beds, yet rhodoliths remain underexplored [9].

This lack of recognition is further evidenced by the most recent management plan for the PNC, which does not include rhodoliths in any of its prioritized conservation categories, such as species or ecosystems [9]. Although the plan acknowledges the significant extent of coral/algal coverage in its shallow bottoms, the absence of rhodoliths as a conservation object highlights a gap in the area’s conservation efforts, despite their ecological importance.

Although the Isthmus of Panama provides suitable substrates for rhodoliths development, research and documentation on these ecosystems remain scarce. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the calcareous red algal species that form rhodoliths in Panama, including georeferenced field observations, herbarium records, available DNA sequences, and other ecological data on rhodoliths worldwide. This information is essential for advancing future taxonomy, biogeography, conservation, phylogeography, genetics, and ecology of rhodoliths in the region. Our study contributes to the expanding body of literature on Central America, helping to reduce knowledge gaps and encourage further scientific attention to these overlooked habitats.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Literature Review

A review of the literature from 1910 to 2024 was conducted, including reports of rhodolith species for Panama, the digital taxonomic inventory Symbiota from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (https://panamabiota.org/stri/projects/index.php?pid=18; accessed on 14 November 2022), the macroalgal herbarium consortium website of the U.S. National Science Foundation, and several field observations. For molecular data, the NCBI website (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/, accessed on 6 October 2024) and BOLD Systems (http://www.barcodinglife.org/, accessed on 13 January 2025) were consulted. Georeferencing maps were created using ArcGIS^® software, and updates to scientific names were cross-referenced with the AlgaeBase database (https://www.algaebase.org).

2.2. General Settings of Rodolith Beds at Coiba National Park

A random sampling was conducted through underwater survey using standard SCUBA techniques in an area approximately 250–500 m² at sites ranging from 8 to 17 m in depth. To measure the percentage of coverage of the rhodolith beds, three photographs were taken per site using a Canon EOS R6 (Canon Inc., Ōta, Tokio, Japan) camera with an 85 mm macro lens. The images were processed using ImageJ software (v1.54p, NIH, USA), where the “particle analysis” tool was applied to quantify the coverage. The percentage of coverage was determined by comparing the area of the rhodolith beds to the total area of each image, and an average coverage was determined for each site. Additionally, observations on the associated marine fauna and flora, as well as depth, were documented.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Historical Review

The history of rhodoliths research in Panama dates back more than a century (Figure 1), when in 1910, Marshall Howe ventured into the Isthmus and first documented Corallinaceae species in the Bay of Panama. Although the known marine flora was limited at that time, Howe found rhodoliths in sites such as Isla Taboga, Urava, and Taboguilla, as well as in the Canal Zone [10]. Eight years later, in 1918, Howe returned to the region and reported four species of Lithothamiaceae in the Panama Canal, highlighting the geological significance of his findings, as well as their relevance to fossil species [11].

Interest in these algae continued to grow over the following decades. In 1929, the naturalist M. P. Lemoine [12], as part of a British expedition on the Saint George cruiser, documented several species of Corallinaceae on the Pacific coast of Panama, specifically in Taboga, Perlas, Coiba, and Jicaron. It was during this expedition that Lithophyllum coibense, a new species, was described [12]. Later, in 1945, W.R. Taylor [13] conducted a detailed study on Isla Secas and other areas of the Panamanian Pacific, reporting rodolith-forming species, such as Lithothamnion, which was found covering coral substrate in Bahia Honda, Veraguas.

In the following decades, other researchers, including E.Y. Dawson in the 1960s [14] and S.A. Earle in 1972, further expanded the records on calcareous algae capable of forming rhodoliths. Earle, for example, reported a total of 17 rhodolith species for the Pacific coast and six for the Caribbean coast [15]. It is important to note that all taxonomic classifications during this period were based exclusively on morphological characteristics, as molecular methods were not yet available.

Thirty-two years later, in 2004, a bathymetric survey revealed extensive rhodolith beds in the shallow waters of Coiba National Park [16], although the specific species remained unidentified. Later, in 2008, M.M. Littler and D.S. Littler [17] expanded the knowledge of biodiversity in the Gulf of Chiriqui by documenting large rhodolith beds dominated by species such as Lithophyllum divaricatum and Lithothamnion indicum. More recently, research has taken a more technical and integrative approach. Since 2013, anatomical and molecular studies have started to shape a new perspective on rhodoliths in Panama. J. Martínez [18] reported three species of Lithophyllum on the Caribbean coast, based on morphometric data, thereby expanding knowledge on their distribution. Other molecular studies, such as those by J. Richards and collaborators, have included samples from Panama, providing new insights into understanding the genetic diversity of these calcareous marine algae [19,20,21,22].

Over the decades, research on rhodoliths in Panama has progressed gradually, with most reports resulting from expeditions and literature reviews (Figure 2a). Each new discovery has shed light on the ecological importance of these calcareous algae, which continue to attract a growing interest in the marine science community. In recent years, the number of publications providing molecular information on Panama’s rhodoliths has been steadily increasing (Figure 2b), further enhancing our understanding of their biological relevance.

3.2. Checklist of Rhodolith Species in Panama

A total of 21 rhodolith-forming species has been reported for Panama, including 14 from the family Corallinaceae, 5 from Hapalidiaceae, and 2 from Sporolithaceae.

Table 1. List of rhodolith-forming species reported for Panama.

Family/Subfamily/Species	Locality
Corallinaceae Subfamily Chamberlainoideae
Chamberlainium decipiens (Foslie) Caragnano, Foetisch, Maneveldt & Payri (as Spongites decipiens) [23,24]	Pacific
Pneophyllum confervicola (Kützing) Y.M. Chamberlain: (as Heteroderma minutulum) [23,24]	Pacific
Subfamily Lithophylloideae
Lithophyllum coibense Me. Lemoine [12,24]	Pacific
Lithophyllum brachiatum (Heydrich) Me. Lemoine [12,24,25]	Pacific
Lithophyllum alternans Me. Lemoine [17,24]	Pacific
Lithophyllum okamurae Foslie [20]	Pacific
Lithophyllum prototypum (Foslie) Foslie (as Goniolithon tessellatum) [15,23,24]	Pacific
Lithophyllum pallescens (Foslie) Foslie [23,24]	Pacific
Lithophyllum divaricatum Me. Lemoine [13,24]	Pacific
Lithophyllum neocongestum J.J. Hernandez-Kantun, W.H. Adey & P.W. Gabrielson [26]	Caribbean
Titanoderma pustulatum (J.V. Lamouroux) Nägeli [15,27,28]	Caribbean
Subfamily Mastophoroideae
Goniolithon decutescens (Heydrich) Foslie ex M. Howe [20,25]	Caribbean
Subfamily Metagoniolithoideae
Harveylithon munitum (Foslie & M. Howe) A. Rösler, Perfectti, V. Peña & J.C. Braga [21,29]	Caribbean
Subfamily Neogoniolithoideae
Neogoniolithon trichotomum (Heydrich) Setchell & L.R. Mason [23,24]	Pacific
Hapalidiaceae
Subfamily Melobesioideae
Lithothamnion australe Foslie [23,24]	Pacific
Lithothamnion australe f. americanum Foslie [13,24]	Pacific
Lithothamnion crispatum Hauck (as L. indicum) [12,17,24]	Pacific
Lithothamnion australe f. minutulum Foslie (as Mesophyllum australe var. minutula) [12]	Pacific
Mesophyllum australe var. tualense (Foslie) Me. Lemoine [12,24]	Pacific
Sporolithaceae
Sporolithon episporum (M.Howe) E.Y. Dawson [12,15,17,27]	Caribbean
Sporolithon howei (Lemoine) N.Y. Yamaguishi-Tomita ex M.J. Wynne: (as Archaeolithothamnion howei) [12,14,24]	Pacific

shows the list of rhodolith species based on published literature and student theses. The taxa are organized alphabetically by family and subfamily.

3.3. Reports to Be Confirmed

Field observation and morphological studies are considered records requiring confirmation (

Table 2. List of rhodolith-forming species reports from Panama to be confirmed.

Locality/Species
CARIBBEAN Ϯ Clathromorphum Foslie
Hydrolithon farinosum (J.V. Lamouroux) Penrose & Y.M. Chamberlain (as Fosliella farinosa) [15,25,27]
Lithophyllum corallinae (P. Crouan & H. Crouan) Heydrich [18]
Ϯ Lithophyllum kaiseri (Heydrich) Heydrich
Lithophyllum stictaeforme (Areschoug) Hauck [19]
Ϯ Mesophyllum mesomorphum (Foslie) W.H. Adey
Neogoniolithon spectabile (Foslie) Setchell & L.R. Mason [30]
Ϯ Neogoniolithon strictum (Foslie) Setchell & L.R. Mason
Porolithon sp. Foslie [15]
PACIFIC
Fosliella fertilis (Me. Lemoine) Segonzac [17,24]
Fosliella minuta W.R. Taylor [13,15,24]
Ϯ Hydrolithon boergesenii (Foslie) Foslie
Ϯ Hydrolithon breviclavium (Foslie) Foslie
Ϯ Hydrolithon boergesenii (Foslie) Foslie
Ϯ Lithophyllum imitans Foslie
Ϯ Lithophyllum kotschyanum Foslie
Ϯ Phymatolithon lenormandii (Areschoug) W.H. Adey
Ϯ Mesophyllum engelhartii (Foslie) W.H. Adey
Phymatolithon masonianum Wilks & Woelkerling [31]
Ϯ Porolithon onkodes (Heydrich) Foslie [24,32]
Ϯ Porolithon sonorense E.Y. Dawson
Ϯ Spongites fruticulosus Kützing [33]

^Ϯ Field observations or herbarium specimens reviewed in the Symbiota database, without related publications.

) due to limitations, such as detailed taxonomic identification, the absence of molecular evidence to support the morphological observations, or the need for additional studies to verify the presence of these species in the reported locations. Additionally, some of these records are based on non-systematic observations, which hinders the ability to validate them conclusively without more comprehensive and rigorous analyses.

Several studies have documented various species of calcareous algae that form rhodoliths in Panama; however, some of these species still require confirmation. For example, the genus Fosliella has been recorded as a rhodolith-forming species, yet studies from the South Pacific do not include this genus among rhodolith-associated taxa. Similarly, Phymatholiton masonianum exhibits anatomical characteristics consistent with specimens from Australia, but genetic information from the type species is crucial to validate this identification.

Other species, such as Hydrolithon breviclavium and Lithophyllum corallinae, have not been previously reported for Central America, making their presence in Panama uncertain until verified through detailed molecular and anatomical studies. Although these species are not officially registered for Panama, recent field observations suggest that L. corallinae may be present along the Pacific coast [33].

3.4. Misreportings

Some reports have been considered invalid due to incorrect distribution data. For instance, species such as Lithophyllum fetum, Lithophyllum lividum, and Lithophyllum propinquum var. cocosicum were listed for the Pacific of Panama in the review lists of Fernández García et al. [24] and Earle [15]. However, these species were initially reported from Isla del Coco, Costa Rica [12].

Similarly, Dermatolithon saxicola, also listed by Earle [15] for the Pacific of Panama, was recorded by Lemoine [12] at Isla del Coco, Costa Rica. Likewise, Lithothamnion indicum var. subtilis and Lithothamnion mesomorphum, mistakenly reported by Earle [15] to Panama, were first recorded from Isla Gorgona, Colombia [12], not Panama.

These misreportings highlight the need to verify species records, especially for taxa with overlapping geographical distributions. Comprehensive molecular and anatomical studies are essential to clarify the true occurrence of these species in Panama and ensure accurate biogeographical mapping.

3.5. Localization and Diversity

Georeferencing data provided by the Symbiota digital database of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, along with records from other international collections, are important to identifying the distribution and extent of rhodolith beds in Panama (Supplementary Data S1).

Based on these records, four major regions within the Isthmus of Panama have been identified as important areas for rhodolith occurrence: the Bocas del Toro Archipelago in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Chiriqui, Coiba National Park, and the Pearl Islands Archipelago in the Pacific. Additional records from Colon, Taboga, the Canal Zone, and San Blas, each with at least four georeferenced points, suggest that these locations warrant further sampling efforts to enhance the current understanding of the rhodolith distribution in the region (Figure 3).

The greatest diversity is found in Panama’s Pacific (Figure 3), with the Coiba National Park standing out as the area with the highest species richness (Figure 4). The vast, sandy and rocky, soft-bottom substrates predominant in PNC provide ideal conditions for the establishment of rhodolith communities, forming extensive beds [9,16].

Ten genera of rhodolith-forming species are reported in Panama. Similar to observations by Robinson et al. [34] for the Tropical Eastern Pacific, the order Corallinales dominates the assemblage, accounting for 66.7% of the species (Figure 5a), with the subfamily Lithophylloideae representing 44% (Figure 5b). Within this group, the genus Lithophyllum emerges as the most frequently recorded along Panama’s coasts.

In contrast, the Caribbean side of Panama shows a notably lower number of reported species, likely due to limited sampling efforts in the region. However, favorable conditions in the region, such as depth, temperature, site accessibility, and high diversity of other marine algae species [30,35,36], suggest that species richness may be underestimated. Recent studies have documented rhodolith specimens from the Bocas del Toro Archipelago [20,21,26] and areas near Colón [18], indicating that further exploration could reveal greater diversity in the Caribbean sector.

3.6. Molecular Studies Data

Twenty-eight genetic sequences of calcareous rhodolith-forming algae species from Panama have been recorded, corresponding to the genes co1, cox2, lsu, upa, rbcL, and psba, and retrieved from the NCBI and BOLD Systems database. The psba gene has been the most used for species characterization in the country (Appendix A 

Table A1. Localities and GenBank access numbers for available sequences of rhodolith-forming species for Panama.

#	Specie	Locality	ID	GenBank Accesion
				COX2	LSU	COI	rbcL	UPA	psbA
1	Harveylithon sp.	Wild Cay, BT	PHYKOS 7053	----	----	----	----	----	MW452886
2	H. munitum	Escudo de Veraguas, BT	PHYKOS_3593	----	MW457636.1	----	MF979962	----	----
3	Lithophyllum sp.	Cebaco Island, VE	LAF7219	----	KJ412333.1	KJ418417.1	----	----	KJ418411.1
4	Lithophyllum sp. 3	Swan Cay, BT	FBCS12912	KJ801356.1	----	----	----	----	----
5	Lithophyllum sp. 3	Sand Fly Bay, BT	FBCS12913	KJ801357.1	----	----	----	----	----
6	Lithothamnion sp. 4	Swan Cay, BT	FBCS12920	KJ801364.1	----	----	----	----	----
7	Lithothamnion sp. D	Gulf of Chiriqui	LAF6631	----	----	----	----	KU519740	KU557500
8	Lithothmanion 1	Swan Cay, BT	FBCS12917	KJ801365.1	----	----	----	----	----
9	Lithothamnion sp. J	Tintorera Island, VE	PHYKOS7249	----	KR075891.1	KU504277	----	KU504275	KP844865
10	Lithophyllum neocongestum	Bocas del Toro	NCU 598862	----	----	----	KX020485	----	----
11	Lithophyllum neocongestum	Bocas del Toro	US223011	----	----	----	KX020484.1	----	KX020466
12	Lithophyllum neocongestum	Bocas del Toro	US169412	----	----	----	----	----	KX020486
13	Lithophyllum neocongestum	Flat Rock Beach, BT	US170968	----	----	----	----	----	KX020440
14	Lithophyllum neocongestum	Sand Fly Bay, BT	US170967	----	----	----	----	----	KX020441
15	Neogoniolithon sp.	Panama	VPF00177	----	----	KM392370.1	----	----	----
16	Sporolithon episporum	Punta Toro, Colón	NY_900041	----	----	----	KY994125.1	----	----
17	Sporolithon episporum	Bocas del Toro	NCU_598843	----	----	KY994113.1	KY994124.1	----	MF034547.1
18	Sporolithon sp.	Mono Feliz, GC	PHYKOS_4623	----	----	----	----	----	MF034548.1

).

Recent studies have incorporated Panamanian species into their molecular analyses. Richards et al. [22] included Panama’s sequences in a phylogenetic analysis of rhodolith diversity in the northwest Gulf of Mexico. In 2021, they confirmed the presence of Harveylithon munitum in Panama and suggested a potential phylogenetic relationship with Harveylithon maris-bahiensis from Brazil [21].

In addition, Richards et al. [20] confirmed the occurrence of Sporolithon episporum in the Caribbean coast of Panama and proposed that Sporolithon samples from the Gulf of Chiriquí may correspond to either S. howei or S. pacificum.

Richards et al. [19] provided both molecular and morphological characterization of two Lithothamnion specimens from Panama’s Pacific, though their precise identification requires further analysis using additional molecular markers. Robinson [31] was the first to report Lithophyllum okamurae in the Las Perlas Archipelago, based on combined morphological and molecular evidence.

These studies have expanded the number of molecular datasets available for rhodolith-forming species in Panama. Further research using other molecular markers is needed to resolve incomplete phylogenetic relationships and understand the genetic diversity of these organisms. The inclusion of bioinformatics tools will be key for advancing the interpretation of rhodolith diversity patterns in the region.

3.7. Rhodolith Beds at Coiba National Park (PNC)

According to the updated 2024 management plan for PNC, coral/algal assemblages dominate the marine benthos, covering 35.17% of the total protected area (equivalent to 2877.84 hectares) [9]. This extensive coverage plays a critical role in the structure and function of reef ecosystems, offering essential habitats for a wide range of marine species [9,16].

Substrate distribution analyses from the PNC management plan show that these benthic habitats, found at depths of up to 10 m around the Coiba island, are key in maintaining the ecological structure of the protected marine area [9]. The benthic structure of the area reflects a combination of corals and algae assemblages that promote marine biodiversity and the ecological dynamics of the region.

Notably, the benthic structures currently referred to as “coral/algal” in the 2024 plan were previously described as “rhodolith beds” in the 2014 management plan, a classification supported by our field observations.

Our surveys confirm the presence of rhodolith beds at the NE of the PNC (

Table 3. Sites performed at NE of Coiba National Park with the indication of the coordinates, coverage of rhodoliths, and depth.

SITE	Latitude° N	Longitude° W	Coverage (%)	Depth (ft)
Canales de Afuera	7.68888	−81.63419	46	45
Buffet	7.68537	−81.61061	49	55
Don Juan	7.39809	−81.63869	65	42
Iglesias	7.64542	−81.69166	69	32

, Figure 6), with coverage ranging between 46% and 69%, depending on the location. The Canales de Afuera exhibited a rhodolith coverage of 46%, while in Buffet, the coverage was 49%, and in Don Juan, it reached 65%. The highest coverage to date was found at Iglesias, with 69% rhodolith coverage.

The sediments associated with the beds in the study sites are mainly composed of gravelly, muddy sand, and basaltic rocks. The rhodolith beds to the NE of the PNC host an associated diversity of fauna and other macroalgae (Figure 6 and Supplementary Data S1, Video S1).

3.8. Ecological Role, Threats, and Conservation

Rhodolith beds are recognized as both Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) and Small Natural Features (SNFs) due to their exceptional role in marine ecosystems. EBSAs are considered areas of significant ecological value because they contribute to biodiversity conservation and play a vital role in maintaining the health and function of marine ecosystems [2]. As SNFs, they are classified as small but ecologically crucial units that have a significant impact on their surrounding environments [37].

In addition to their role in seabed stabilization and habitat, rhodoliths provide a wide range of ecosystem services [38,39]. They act as biodiversity hotspots [1,17,31,40,41,42], support the growth and development of other species (i.e., commercial species) [31,40,41,43,44,45], and contribute to coastal sediment production [1,46].

They also offer valuable insights into paleoclimatic predictions [31,47], ocean acidification [2,46,48], and serve as important areas for recreation and tourism [39]. Furthermore, they help prevent and moderate disturbances [1,40], playing a critical role in maintaining ecosystem resilience.

Despite their ecological importance, rhodoliths face various threats. Anthropogenic impacts such as coastal pollution, urban development in coastal areas, and trawling fishing practices alter water quality, increase sedimentation, and damage the physical structures of rhodolith beds [2,40,49,50,51]. Climate change, in turn, causes ocean acidification and rising sea temperatures, affecting the availability of calcium carbonate essential for their growth, which can compromise their survival [2,52]. Additionally, the lack of research and monitoring in areas such as Panama hampers a full understanding of their ecology, delaying the implementation of adaptive conservation measures.

To address these threats, we propose the following conservation strategies based on the Coiba National Park management plan [8] and other documents that refer to frameworks for the study and conservation of rhodoliths in other latitudes [8,34,39,40,49,51,52,53] (Figure 7):

• Integration into management plans: Incorporate rhodoliths as objectives of conservation into the management plans of marine protected areas where their presence is known, as well as other marine areas.
• Research and Monitoring: Promote research to understand the diversity of rhodoliths and explore the ecology, distribution, and genetics of rhodolith beds in Panama. Establish long-term monitoring programs to assess the condition of these algae and their response to threats, as well as evaluate the conservation status of their populations.
• Education: Raise awareness about the ecological importance of rhodoliths among decision makers, local communities, and the public.
• Collaboration and funding: Encourage collaboration between researchers, conservation organizations, and government agencies to address the conservation challenges of rhodolith beds. Seek funding to support research, monitoring, and conservation initiatives.
• Regulation and fisheries management: Implement fisheries regulations to protect rhodolith beds from trawling in marine areas that are not protected. In protected areas, strengthen and enforce regulations to maintain ecosystem sustainability.

4. Conclusions

A total of 21 species of calcareous algae that form rhodoliths have been reported for Panama. Coiba National Park is the site with the highest occurrence of reports and extensive rhodolith bed areas. Despite their importance and predominant abundance along Panama’s Pacific coast, rhodolith beds remain an underexplored ecosystem. As such, significant research efforts are needed to better understand the diversity of these calcareous algae. The various species reports must be studied not only to clarify the correct application of scientific names but also to ensure that these names are properly applied to Panama’s material through morphological, anatomical, and molecular studies. This will provide a more definitive and reliable species list. Including Panama’s rhodolith beds in the list of threatened habitats and developing appropriate conservation strategies for these species should be the goal of future research.