The genus Schmitziella Bornet et Batters (Rhodophyta): Corallinaceae or Acrochaetiaceae?

Abstract

Examination of a wide range of specimens of S. endophloea Bornet et Batters including the type, has shown that the species, the type of the genus Schmitziella Bornet et Batters, is similar vegetatively to members of the Acrochaetiaceae. Because it bears zonate tetrasporangia, which have not been recorded for this family, and because the presence of carposporophytes described by Batters has not been confirmed, we regard the genus as incertae sedis but close to the Acrochaetiaceae. It is suggested that further studies may show that it has a heteromorphic life history. S. endophloea does not possess any of the characteristic features of the Corallinaceae such as cells with calcified walls, secondary pits or cell fusions, multiaxial thallus construction or tetraspores produced by simultaneous division.

The description of the only other species, S. cladophorae V. J. Chapman, is shown, in our opinion, to have been based on a misidentification of Melobesia membranacea (Esper) Lamour.