A reappraisal of Symphyocladia (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta), including a new species based on morphology and molecular data

Abstract

Kim S.Y., Nelson W. and Kim M.S. 2012. A reappraisal of Symphyocladia (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta), including a new species based on morphology and molecular data. Phycologia 51: 531–541. DOI: 10.2216/11-62.1

Comparative morphological investigations and molecular analyses of rbcL data are used to critically reassess the genus Symphyocladia and to examine phylogenetic relationships with the type species, S. marchantioides. Specimens collected from the type locality in New Zealand confirm that S. marchantioides can be identified by the presence of numerous apical cells on the growing margin producing axial systems that remain congenitally laterally attached, branched trichoblasts arising marginally and close to dormant apical cells, six to eight pericentral cells, and lacking cortication. Symphyocladia jejuinsula sp. nov is newly described for samples from the southern coast of Korea, and is characterized by thin and flat thalli to 10 cm in height, 8–10 pericentral cells, lack of trichoblasts, 10 segments of congenital fusions, cortication in the lower part of branches, and determinate branches each with a sharply pointed apical cell. Molecular analysis of the rbcL gene reveals sufficient sequence divergence to warrant species recognition of six distinct species within Symphyocladia, and the presence of two clusters of species that form sister clades in the phylogenetic tree. The monophyly of Symphyocladia is strongly supported and the genus is clearly separated from Pterosiphonia. These two genera belong in the tribe Pterosiphonieae, having an alternate-distichous branching pattern as their diagnostic character.

Key Words::

• Morphology
• Pterosiphonieae
• rbcL
• Rhodophyta
• Symphyocladia
• Taxonomy
• Korea
• New Zealand
• New species

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We appreciate Mr J.C. Kang for collecting samples and Mr Y.H. Koh for Photoshop plate assembly. This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea Grant, funded by the Korean Government (2010-0017033) and The Survey of Indigenous Biology of Korea from National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR) to M.S.K., and Foundation for Research Science & Technology contract C01X0502 (New Zealand) grant to W.N.

Corrigenda

Correction to the paper by Ihnken S., Roberts S. and Beardall J. 2011. Differential responses of growth and photosynthesis in the marine diatom Chaetoceros muelleri to CO₂ and light availability. Phycologia 50 (2): 182–193.

The figure legend assigned to Fig. 1 belongs with Fig. 2; the legend assigned to Fig. 2 belongs with Fig. 3; the legend assigned to Fig. 3 belongs with Fig. 1.

Correction to the paper by KIM, S.Y., NELSON, W. AND KIM, M.S. 2012. A reappraisal of Symphyocladia (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta), including a new species based on morphology and molecular data. Phycologia 51(5): 531–541. On page 537, the heading for new description should read:

Symphyocladia jejuinsula S.Y. Kim, W. Nelson & M.S. Kim sp. nov.

The author-corrected proof had “sp. nov.“ circled and marked with “rom,” which is the correct author proof designation if indicating that italicized text should be in roman text. Our printer, Allen Press, misinterpreted the author correction and substituted “rom” for “sp. nov.” Neither the Editor-in-Chief nor the authors received the final proof containing the error.