Crassitegula walsinghamii(Sebdeniaceae, Halymeniales), a new red algal genus and species from Bermuda based upon morphology and SSU rDNA sequence analyses

Abstract

Dorsiventral, mat-forming plants superficially similar to Flahaultia tegetiformans (Gigartinales, Solieriaceae), a Caribbean species known only in the vegetative condition, were collected in several Bermuda habitats. Morphological analysis of these specimens distinguished them from F. tegetiformans. Reproductive morphology and analyses of sequences of the nuclear encoded small subunit rDNA show them clustering with Sebdenia (Halymeniales). The plants are described as Crassitegula walsinghamii gen. et sp. nov., a new nemathecial member of the Sebdeniaceae.

Using Molecular-Assisted Alpha Taxonomy to Better Understand Red Algal Biodiversity in Bermuda

“…Saunders appears in habit and vegetative morphology very similar to Flahaultia tegetiformans, sequences of its SSU nuclear DNA from Bermuda were used to firmly place it in the Sebdeniaceae (Sebdeniales), rather than the Solieriaceae. This classification was affirmed by the remarkable similarity in female sexual structures and post-fertilization stages observed between C. walsinghamii and Sebdenia (J. Agardh) Berthold when female material was found in a collection discovered after molecular sequencing was completed [18].…”

“…However, beginning in 1997, more than 30 new species and new records to the islands were added to the flora culminating in a checklist of taxa [8]. Since then, nearly 50 more have been added [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21], bringing the total flora to 449 species. Of this number, 258 are red algae.…”

Sebdenia cerebriformis sp. nov. (Sebdeniaceae, Sebdeniales) from the south and western Pacific Ocean

“…The family Sebdeniaceae (Kylin 1932; Schneider et al . 2006) currently consists of two described genera, Sebdenia and Crassitegula C. W. Schneider, C. E. Lane et G. W. Saunders, and a further yet undescribed nomen nudum , Lesleigha General ined.…”

Lectotypification of <i>Halymenia rodrigueziana</i> J. Feldmann [= <i>Sebdenia rodrigueziana</i> (J. Feldmann) Codomier ex Athanasiadis (Sebdeniaceae, Rhodophyta)]

“…Sebdenia (J. Agardh) Berthold is the type genus of the family Sebdeniaceae Kylin (1932: 12). The family Sebdeniaceae is bigeneric (Schneider & al., 2006), but there are clues to the existence of two still undescribed genera (Saunders & Kraft, 2002;Saunders & al., 2004). About 15 species are currently listed under Sebdenia (excluding synonyms) (Guiry, 2004), but many of them are poorly studied, and a revision of the genus is needed.…”