Clathromorphum tubiforme sp. nov. (Rhodophyta, Corallinaceae) in South Africa with Comments on Generic Characters

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

1995

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Walter de Gruyter

Abstract

A nongeniculate, crustose coralline alga (Rhodophyta, Corallinaceae) from South Africa, is found growing epiphytically on fronds of species of the geniculate genus Ampiroa. Analysis of the vegetative and reproductive morphology and anatomy of the alga shows that it belongs to the subfamily Melobesioideae and genus Clathromorphum. It is the only known representative of the genus in South Africa. It has tetrasporangial conceptacles that are significantly smaller than those of any other described species of the genus and it is described as the new species Clathromorphum tubiforme. The diagnostic features of Clathromorphum and other genera of the Melobesioideae are discussed and it is considered that, among melobesioid genera, Clathromorphum is probably most closely related to Melobesia.

Description

Keywords

Ampiroa, Clathromorphum, Coralline alga, Epiphytically, Melobesioideae, Tetrasporangial conceptacles

Citation

Chameberlain, Y.M. et al. (1995). Clathromorphum tubiforme sp. nov. (Rhodophyta, Corallinaceae) in South Africa with Comments on Generic Characters. Botanica Marina, 38: 443-453.