Growth-forms in Non-geniculate Coralline Red Algae (Coralliinales, Rhodophyta)

Abstract

Although differences in growth-form have been widely used in delimiting taxa of non-geniculate coralline red algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta), there has been no consistent application of the more than 100 terms employed to describe the growth-forms present, and considerable confusion has resulted. This study of over 5000 populations of non-geniculate corallines from all parts of the world has shown that an intergrading network of growth-forms with 10 focal points is present: unconsolidated, encrusting, warty, lumpy, fruticose, discoid, layered, foliose, ribbon-like and arborescent. This focal point terminology can be used to describe any specimen or species of non-geniculate coralline in a consistent, easily interpretable manner. Details of the system are provided, the relationships of the system to past proposals are discussed, and the extent to which differences in growth-forms can be used as taxonomic characters in the non-geniculate Corallinales is reviewed.

Lithophyllum frondosum(Dufour) comb. nov. (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta): the species to which Mediterranean ‘Pseudolithophyllum expansum’ should be referred

“…We did not observe the foliose habit of L. frondosum either in the holotype of L. bermudense from Bermuda or in specimens from Australia described by Woelkerling & Campbell (1992) as variably flat (complanate), layered (without conspicuous terracing), warty, lumpy, protuberant and/or coalescent'. However, we consider these differences not to be taxonomically significant and agree with Woelkerling et al (1993a) that considerable variation in growth-form can occur within a species. We also hypothesize that some of the growthforms observed in L. bermudense by Woelkerling & Campbell (1992) can also occur in Mediterranean populations of L. frondosum.…”

Rhodolith bed structure along a depth gradient on the northern coast of bahia state, brazil

“…Sporolithon episporum was only found at 15 m depth, forming rhodoliths with growth form predominantly encrusting (see Woelkerling et al, 1993). Specimens present monomerous thallus, flared epithallial cells, and both secondary pit connections and cell fusions (4-5:1 ratio, respectively).…”

“…These data were plotted using the TRIPLOT v.1.3 spreadsheet of Graham and Midgley (2000), who plotted data on the pebble-shape diagram of Sneed and Folk (1958), and which can be used to separate rhodoliths into spheroidal, discoidal or ellipsoidal shapes (BOSENCE; PEDLEY, 1982;PERRY, 2005). In addition, the predominant coralline algae growth form was determined in rhodoliths in accordance with the criteria established by Woelkerling et al (1993). Rhodolith mean diameter was obtained from the measurements of three axes (long, intermediate and short) of the rhodoliths.…”

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

“…The herbarium code follows the Index Herbariorum (Holmgren and Holmgren 2011, continuously updated). Conceptacle measurements follow Adey and Adey (1973), thallus anatomical terminology follows Woelkerling (1988), growth form terminology follows Woelkerling et al (1993) and typification data follow Woelkerling (1993).…”