Observations of Pihiella liagoraciphila (Pihiellales, Rhodophyta)

Abstract

Pueschel C.M. and Huisman J.M. 2010. Observations of Pihiella liagoraciphila (Pihiellales, Rhodophyta). Phycologia 49: 42–47. DOI: 10.2216/08-92.1

The structure of the diminutive endo/epiphytic red alga Pihiella liagoraciphila was examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. The structure of the pit plugs consisted of a plug core with cap membranes but no cap layers, thus supporting the independence of this species from the Ahnfeltiales, to which it is most closely related in a molecular phylogeny but whose members have pit plugs without cap membranes. Hair cells were common and prominent and were characterized by exceptionally large pit plugs and an unusual membranous lattice adjacent to the pit plugs. The presence of large, degenerating pit plugs on the flanks of the cells subtending hair cells indicates that the hair cells can regenerate by division of the subtending cell, which acts as an initial. Sporangia also appear to regenerate from their stalk cells. These findings have implications for understanding the incompletely known life history of P. liagoraciphila.

Key Words::

• hair cells
• Pihiella
• Pihiellales
• pit plugs

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank Henry Eichelberger for technical assistance. John Huisman would like to thank Dr Isabella Abbott (University of Hawaii at Manoa) for her support during his tenure in Hawaii.