Phylogenetic relationships and morphological characters are presented for a population of Nemalionopsis shawii Skuja collected from Nepal. Molecular data (sequences of rbcL and cox1) were generated and morphological characters were described in detail. The rbcL sequence analyses showed that specimens from Nepal are most similar to N. shawii from Indonesia and Japan and that these entities form a clade with high support (>95% bootstrap and 0.95 posterior probability). The cox1 barcode sequence, however, only had 90.9-91.9% identity with specimens of N. shawii from Hawaii. The rbcL sequence of the specimen from Nepal was positioned in a clade having sequence identity of 99.3-99.7% with three samples: N. shawii from Indonesia and two from Japan identified as N. tortuosa. The comparison of morphological characters of Nemalionopsis from Nepal allowed unequivocal identification with N. shawii. Identifications from previous studies using molecular data were mistaken since most reports of N. shawii are actually of N. tortuosa or vice-versa. This confusion of names presumably occurred because most specimens previously sequenced were from culture collections or from 'Chantransia' stages. Small tufts of 'Chantransia' stage were observed growing epiphytically on gametophytes and on the basal system. Carpogonia and spermatangia were fully described in specimens from Nepal. Monosporangia were not observed, whereas carposporangia were unequivocally described for the first time in the genus. An unusual flat strap-like basal system was observed, interpreted as an additional mode of maintenance in nature under unfavorable environmental conditions.

We have characterized the cDNA and genomic sequences that encode actin from the multicellular red alga Chondrus crispus. Southern-blot analysis indicates that the C. crispus actin gene (ChAc) is present as a single copy. Northern analysis shows that, like the GapA gene, the actin gene is well expressed in gametophytes but weakly in protoplasts. Compared to actin genes of animals, fungi, green plants and oomycetes, that of C. crispus displays a higher evolutionary rate and does not show any of the amino-acid signatures characteristic of the other lineages. As previously described for GapA, ChAc is interrupted by a single intron at the beginning of the coding region. The site of initiation of transcription was characterized by RNAse protection. The promoter region displays a CAAT box but lacks a canonical TATA motif. Other noticeable features, such as a high content of pyrimidines as well as a 14-nt motif found in both the 5'-untranslated region and the intron, were observed.

The marine unicellular red algal genus Rhodella was established in 1970 by L. V. Evans with a single species R. maculata based on nuclear projections into the pyrenoid. Porphyridium violaceum was described by P. Kornmann in 1965 and transferred to Rhodella by W. Wehrmeyer in 1971 based on plastid features and the non-parietal position of the nucleus. Molecular and fine structural evidences have now revealed that Rhodella maculata and R. violacea are one species, so R. violacea has nomenclatural priority and the correct name is Rhodella violacea (Kornmann) Wehrmeyer. The status of families within Rhodellophyceae was examined. The order Dixoniellales and family Dixoniellaceae are emended to include only Dixoniella and Neorhodella. The order Rhodellales and family Rhodellaceae are emended to include Rhodella and Corynoplastis. Glaucosphaera vacuolata Korshikov and the Glaucosphaeraceae Skuja (1954) with an emended description are transferred to the Glaucosphaerales ord. nov.

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The phylogeny of morphologically simple algae is problematic due to insufficient morphological characters to aid in distinguishing species and relationships. The problem is further compounded because multiple evolutionary lineages of morphologically similar species occur in most well-sampled biogeographic locations; therefore, location cannot be used as a proxy for species. The phylogeny of the upright members of the Erythropeltidales is partially clarified by combining molecular data, unialgal culture observations, and worldwide sampling. Our results show that there are several well-supported lineages within the Erythropeltidales with only two morphologically recognizable taxa at present. The first is the genus Porphyrostromium, with a well-developed basal crust, which includes two Erythrotrichia species (Porphyrostromium ligulatum comb. nov. and Porphyrostromium pulvinatum comb. nov.). The second is the branched species Erythrotrichia welwitschii (Rupr.) Batters. There are also six strongly supported Erythrotrichia carnea-like lineages. While not completely satisfactory, we propose that one lineage (lineage 2) with samples close to the type locality be designated as E. carnea with a specific isolate as an epitype. The lack of morphology to differentiate the other lineages leads to a taxonomy based solely on gene sequencing and molecular phylogeny, with rbcL sequences differentiating the lineages proposed. We hold off on proposing more species and genera until more data and samples can be gathered.

A new macroscopic riverine red algal species, Lemanea manipurensis sp. nov. (Batrachospermales) is described from Manipur in northeast India. It has a sparsely branched, pseudoparenchymatous thallus with a single, central axial filament that lacks cortical filaments. Spermatangia occur generally in isolated, low and indistinct patches or form an almost continuous ring around the axis. Carposporophytes project into the hollow thallus cavity without an ostiole. The most striking morphological feature is the carposporophyte with very short gonimoblast filaments having cylindrical, narrow and sparsely branched sterile filaments, the terminal cell of each branch with a single, large, elongate carpospore. The widely distributed L. fluviatilis has spherical carpospores in long branched chains. Phylogenetic analysis of rbcL sequence data and comparison with other Batrachospermales clearly show that our specimens do not align with other species of Lemanea and Paralemanea investigated thus far. Five specific names attributed in previous literature to Lemanea from Manipur, L. australis, L. catenata, L. fluviatilis, L. mamillosa, and L. torulosa are rejected until critical anatomical and molecular evidence is available for specimens from the Manipur river systems. Taxa referable to Paralemanea were not confirmed for India in this study. In view of the high demand for food and medical uses of L. manipurensis in northeast India, conservation measures are needed for its long term survival. The present paper constitutes the first combined morphological / molecular study on a freshwater red alga from India.

The question of whether morphological differences observed in specimens is due to multiple species or one variable species has always caused problems for taxonomists. The most recent taxonomic treatment of the 'Bostrychia tenella species complex' suggested that much of the morphological variation represented a single highly variable entity. We used molecular data from all three genomes to clarify the phylogeny, species status and phylogeography of samples collected worldwide and also in sympatry of this complex. Our data strongly support five genetic species in this complex, but only three morphological entities were recognized. The first, divided into two genetic species, fits characters associated with B. binderi, occasionally possessing short monosiphonous determinate laterals but lacking them most of the time. We therefore resurrect B. binderi, even though we could not assign a name to either of the two genetic species, as we are missing molecular evidence from the type specimen. One genetic species was morphologically recognized as B. montagnei. Another lineage consisted of the two genetic species that fall into a new circumscription of B. tenella, with long monosiphonous determinate laterals. Again we were unable to assign either of these two lineages to a type, nor could we find morphological differences between the two lineages. Many of the genetic species have worldwide distributions, except for B. montagnei, which appears to be restricted to the Americas. Our molecular-assisted taxonomy has helped clarify some of the morphological variation within the B. tenella species complex into three named species, but two cryptic species were still recognized that remain morphologically cryptic.

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