Rediscovery of Gelidiella ramellosa (Kützing) Feldmann et Hamel (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta) from near the type locality in Western Australia

Huisman, J.M., Phillips, J.C. and Freshwater, D.W. (2009) Rediscovery of Gelidiella ramellosa (Kützing) Feldmann et Hamel (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta) from near the type locality in Western Australia. Cryptogamie, Algologie, 30 (1). pp. 3-16.

Abstract

The poorly known red alga Gelidiella ramellosa (Kützing) Feldmann et Hamel is described from specimens collected near the type locality in Western Australia. Plants occur as turfs to 1-2 cm in height, with prostrate stolons attached by clusters of rhizoids to rock. Erect axes are irregularly pinnately branched and terete to slightly compressed. Structurally, the medulla is pseudoparenchymatous with no discernable central axis, and rhizines are absent. Spermatangia occur in surface sori. Tetrasporangia are borne in irregular whorls in terete, basally constricted stichidia that are lateral on erect axes. LSU nrDNA and rbcL sequence analyses clearly place G. ramellosa in a clade containing species of Gelidiella and Parviphycus, but are equivocal regarding its relationship with either genus.