Lithothamnion superpositum (Corallinales; Rhodophyta): First description for the Western Atlantic or rediscovery of a species?

Abstract

Nongeniculate Corallinaceae are poorly known in Brazil. In our endeavor to identify this group of seaweeds along the Brazilian coast we came across some specimens that fit well into the accepted circumscription of Litothamnion Heydrich. Within this genus they could be identified to what has been called L. superpositum Foslie. The specimens were represented by nongeniculate, free living specimens (rhodoliths); lumpy to fruticose growth-form, presenting flared epithallial cells in transversal section; multiporate tetrasporangial conceptacles, with roof protruding above or flush with the surrounding thallus surface; chambers 250-525 mm in diameter and 150-230 mm high, roof structured by filaments with 3-5 cells long; and pores in depression. Among the species described from the Brazilian coast, L. heteromorphum (Foslie) Foslie presented anatomical and reproductive characteristics similar to the referred species described from southern Africa and Australia. Therefore, we propose to consider L. heteromorphum as a heterotypic synonym of L. superpositum and extending its distribution to the Western Atlantic.

Lithothamnion steneckii sp. nov. and Pneophyllum conicum: new coralline red algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) for coral reefs of Brazil

“…The material collected in Brazil represents a range extension of P. conicum from the Eastern Pacific into the Atlantic Ocean who is more than 6,000 km in distance. This is consistent with the series of new records and species that have been recently found along the coast of Brazil (e.g., Nunes et al 2008, Villas-Boas et al 2009, Amado-Filho et al 2010, Da Nóbrega Farias et al 2010, Bahia et al 2011 Adey et al (1982) as Paragoniolithon conicum Keats et al (1997) Keats et al (1997 ND, no data.…”

“…shown that Brazilian coralline flora is more diverse than was previously considered (e.g., Villas-Boas et al 2009, Da Nóbrega Farias et al 2010, Bahia et al 2011, Horta et al 2011, Henriques et al 2012). Furthermore, most ecological studies were not carried out using rigorous taxonomic evaluation.…”

“…The characteristics used to determine the species (e.g., Wilks and Woelkerling 1995, Harvey et al 2003, Woelkerling et al 2005, Wynne 2005, Da Nóbrega Farias et al 2010, Athanasiadis and Ballantine 2011, Basso et al 2011, Table 1 in Henriques et al 2012), do not allow our material of Lithothamnion to be assigned to any known species. Nonetheless, Lithothamnion muelleri Lenormand ex Rosanoff and L. crispatum known for Brazilian shores are discussed here for comparative purposes to delimit our new species.…”

Research and Discoveries: The Revolution of Science through Scuba

“…Collections using scuba diving and/or remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) have already provided new records and evolutionary insights based on research occurring around the world (e.g., Brazilian continental shelf, Farias et al, 2010, andBahia et al, 2011;Galician estuaries, Peña et al, 2011;Gulf of California, Riosmena-Rodríguez et al, 2010). In the future, it might be particularly interesting to examine very old fossil deposits along the coast of the Bahamas where Littler et al (1985) described the deepest known plant life, a coralline alga.…”

Systematic survey of Lithothamnion, Melobesia and Mesophyllum species (Hapalidiaceae, Corallinales, Rhodophyta) recorded along the Atlantic coast of Mexico

“…On the other hand, Harvey et al (2003) considered to Lithothamnion indicum Foslie and Lithothamnion heteromorphum (Foslie) Foslie as heterotypic synonyms of L. superpositum; whereas da Nóbrega et al (2010) analyzed the morphology and anatomy of the specimens collected in Brazil and the type of L. heteromorphum, both the L. heteromorphum type and their collection, were identical to other species reported as L. superpositum around the world. On basis of their results they concluded that among the species described from the Brazilian coast, L. heteromorphum (Foslie) Foslie presented anatomical and reproductive characteristics similar to the referred species described from southern Africa and Australia.…”