![Sample our Earth Sciences journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5930/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Earth-Sciences.jpg"})
Abstract
Lin S.-M., Nelson W.A. and Hommersand M.H. 2012. Hymenenopsis heterophylla gen. et sp. nov. (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) from New Zealand, based on a red alga previously known as Hymenena palmata f. marginata sensu Kylin, with emphasis on its cystocarp development. Phycologia 51: 62–73. DOI: 10.2216/11-38.1
The alga known as Hymenena palmata f. marginata (Harvey) Kylin has been thought to be confined to the northern part of the South Island and the southern part of the North Island of New Zealand and is represented by a variety of thallus forms. The pattern of its apical growth is similar to that of Hymenena palmata (Harvey) Kylin, a poorly known species that is said to be widespread throughout New Zealand. As a consequence, H. palmata f. marginata has been misplaced under Hymenena for a long time. Unlike many species of Hymenena, the thallus branches entirely from the margins and lacks both macroscopic nerves and microscopic veins. Phylogenetic analysis of rbcL sequence data shows that, while H. palmata f. marginata is a member of the subfamily Phycodryoideae, it belongs in the Phycodryeae rather than the Cryptopleureae, a tribe that includes Hymenena, where it might otherwise be placed based on its gross morphology and growth by means of a marginal meristem with many obliquely dividing marginal cells. Procarp and cystocarp development are similar to that of the Phycodryeae, and the carposporangia are formed in chains rather than terminally as in Hymenena. The cystocarp of H. palmata f. marginata is unusual in that cells derived from the cystocarp floor form secondary pit connections with a large central fusion cell. We propose the name Hymenenopsis heterophylla S.-M. Lin, W.A. Nelson & Hommersand gen. et sp. nov. for this New Zealand red alga.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This project was largely supported by a grant from National Science Council (Taiwan) (NSC 96-2628-B-019 -006 -MY3) and from NTOU's Center of Excellence for Marine Bioenvironment and Biotechnology (99529001G) to S.-M. Lin, New Zealand Foundation for Research Science and Technology (CO1X0502 – IO1 & IO2) to W. Nelson, M.H.H. was supported by NSF grant DEB 0937978 to Lopez-Bautista, Hommersand, and Fredericq. We thank Dr R. D'Archino, Dr D.W. Freshwater, and G. Nervold for helping collecting the specimens and Dr Paul Gabrielson for determining an rbcL sequence used in this study. Information and scans of type material were provided through the courtesy of Joanna Wilbraham at BM and John Parnell at TCD. We are indebted to Peter D. Bostock for the Latin version of the diagnosis and to Dr John Huisman and another reviewer for a critical assessment of this paper.