Michael Y. Roleda, Monserrat López-Yllescas, Ronel T. Aguilar, Shienna Mae C. Gonzaga, Lourie Ann R. Hinaloc, Fred Pascal, Miguel Sepulveda, R.A. Narayanan, Karlotta Rieve, Ronald Simbajon, Virginie Le Masson, Roger Morre, Murtaza Fazal, Albaris B. Tahiluddin, Eka Sunarwidhi Prasedya, Daniel Robledo, Richard V. Dumilag
Eucheumatoids are carrageenan-producing red seaweeds currently globally domesticated to support the increasing demand for its hydrocolloid, which has a multitude of industrial applications. It is a multimillion-dollar industry, traded as cottonii and spinosum, with biomass production dominated by Indonesia and the Philippines. There are currently seven recognized genera: Eucheuma, Kappaphycus, Betaphycus, Mimica, Kappaphycopsis, Eucheumatopsis, and Tacanoosca. Wild populations of different taxa are reported up to 25° north (Mexico) and south (Madagascar) of the equator, but biodiversity hotspots are found in the Philippines and Indonesia. This chapter examines the global distribution and diversity of eucheumatoids, and their domestication. Research and development initiatives to conserve genetic diversity, and challenges associated with crop production are also discussed.