An accoount of southern Australian species of Lithothamnion (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta)

Abstract

Lithothamnion (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) is represented in southern Australia by at least two species: L. muelleri, the type species of the genus, and L. indicum. Detailed accounts are provided along with a key to the species, and information on distribution, seasonality and habitat, nomenclature and synonymy, and infraspecific taxonomy. Two characters associated with tetrasporangial conceptacle roof anatomy are considered diagnostic of the two southern Australian species. Twenty-five characters used by other authors to separate species of Lithothamnion were examined; none were found to be diagnostic of L. muelleri or L. indicum, and only one (plant habit) was sometimes found to be useful as an ancillary character. None of the measured characters assessed could be used in a diagnostic or ancillary manner. The status and disposition of 22 other specific and infraspecific taxa ascribed to Lithothamnion and reported from southern Australia are summarised; 3 are considered synonyms of L. indicum or L. muelleri, 12 are referable to other genera, 6 are considered to be of uncertain status, and 1 constitutes an unconfirmed record.

New records of rhodolith-forming species (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from deep water in Espírito Santo State, Brazil

“…Material examined: Itaguaçu, Espírito Santo, Brazil, 19°48 0 01 00 S, 37°46 0 22 00 W (58 m depth, 16.xi.1997, RB Comments: Most characters (Table 2) observed in the examined specimens agree with descriptions of the same species from southern Australia (Wilks and Woelkerling 1995;Woelkerling 1996). According to Wilks and Woelkerling (1995), Lithothamnion muelleri occurs from Albany, (Western Australia) eastwards to Corner Inlet (Victoria) and in Bruny Island (Tasmania, southern Australia).…”

“…According to Wilks and Woelkerling (1995), Lithothamnion muelleri occurs from Albany, (Western Australia) eastwards to Corner Inlet (Victoria) and in Bruny Island (Tasmania, southern Australia). The records from Tierra del Fuego require confirmation based on modern collections (Wilks and Woelkerling 1995).…”

“…According to Wilks and Woelkerling (1995), Lithothamnion muelleri occurs from Albany, (Western Australia) eastwards to Corner Inlet (Victoria) and in Bruny Island (Tasmania, southern Australia). The records from Tierra del Fuego require confirmation based on modern collections (Wilks and Woelkerling 1995). According to Yabur-Pacheco and Riosmena-Rodriguez (2006), there are also records in the southwestern Gulf of California, Mexico and other areas of the eastern Pacific (Riosmena-Rodríguez, unpublished data), but there is no description for the species for these areas yet.…”

“…6 figs 8-11 (Figs. 2, 3) Further references: Wilks and Woelkerling (1995);Woelkerling (1996) Synonyms: See Wilks and Woelkerling (1995) Lectotype: CN (herb. Lenormand); from Western Port Bay, Victoria; collected by W. H. Harvey, 1851, communicated by F. Mueller; lectotype designated by Woelkerling (1983: 193) and Wilks and Woelkerling (1995, fig.…”

“…Histological techniques for optical microscopy follow Moura et al (1997). Microslides were prepared, and identification of material to species level followed descriptions of Chamberlain (1993), Chamberlain and Irvine (1994), and Wilks and Woelkerling (1995). Type specimens were not examined.…”