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Three new cuparene sesquiterpenes 1 – 3 were isolated from the organic extract of the red alga Laurencia microcladia , collected at Chios island in the North Aegean Sea, Greece. The structures and the relative stereochemistry of the compounds are proposed on the basis of their spectral data. Metabolite 2 shows an unprecedented (for the cuparene class of sesquiterpenes) migration of the C-1 methyl group. All metabolites 1 – 3 were found to exhibit significant cytotoxic activity against two lung cancer cell lines.

Recent taxonomic studies of the genus Laurencia sensu lato (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae) have resulted in the recognition of three genera within the ‘Laurencia complex’: Laurencia sensu stricto, Chondrophycus and Osmundea. A critical examination of all Mediterranean records of taxa referred to Laurencia has shown that three species of Chondrophycus, six species of Osmundea and nine species of Laurencia are present. These taxa are described and illustrated. Laurencia caduciramulosa and L. intricata are reported for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea and from Italy, respectively. A key to the Mediterranean species of the Laurencia complex is given.

The original collections of Cystoseira algeriensis J. Feldmann and of Cystoseira elegans Sauvageau, both held in the Herbarium of the Laboratoire de Cryptogamie, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (PC), were examined and lectotypes were designated, since no holotypes were indicated by original authors.