Gracilariophila Setchell & H.L.Wilson, 1910

Holotype species: Gracilariophila oryzoides Setchell & H.L.Wilson

Currently accepted name for the type species: Gracilariopsis oryzoides (Setchell et H.L.Wilson) Gurgel, J.N.Norris & Fredericq

Original publication and holotype designation: Wilson, H.L. (1910). Gracilariophila, a new parasite on Gracilaria confervoides. University of California Publications in Botany 4(2): 75-84, pls 12, 13.

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Description: Plants are minute (to 3.5 mm diam.), colorless parasites of Gracilaria and Gracilariopsis species, consisting of endophytic isodiametric cells and rhizoids that erupt in wart like pustules bearing reproductive structures. Spermatangia cover the outer surface, and scarcely protuberant, weekly ostiolate cystocarps of similar anatomy to Gracilaria form singly or in groups. Carpogonial branches and early gonimoblast stages appear to closely resemble those of Gracilaria. Lowermost gonimoblast cells at the floor of the cystocarp cavity cut off conjunctor cells that fuse with multinucleate gametophytic cells, leaving secondary pit connections. Tubular nutrient cells are lacking. Carpogonia form in distal chains, and the ostiolate pericarp may enclose one to several carposporophytes. Tetrasporangia range from regularly to irregularly cruciate.

Information kindly contributed by G.T. Kraft but may now be outdated.

Taxonomic status: This name is currently regarded as a synonym of Gracilariopsis.

Gender: This genus name is currently treated as feminine.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Gurgel, C.F.D., Norris, J.N., Schmidt, W.E., Le, H.N. & Fredericq, S. (2018). Systematics of the Gracilariales (Rhodophyta) including new subfamilies, tribes, subgenera, and two new genera, Agarophyton gen. nov. and Crassa gen. nov. Phytotaxa 374(1): 1-23.

Comments: Fredericq et al.'s (1989) study of the type species suggests it to be a recently evolved adeophoparasite with most reproductive features in common with its host genus, Gracilariopsis. Distribution: The type and a second species, G. gardneri Setchell, are endemic to western North America from Washington to Baja California. 5 other species credited to the genus are from Indonesia and China, but may not truly belong to Gracilariophila (Yamomoto 1986).

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Contributors
Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in CD format. These AlgaeBase descriptions are now being continually updated, and each current contributor is identified above. The PSA and AlgaeBase warmly acknowledge the generosity of all past and present contributors and particularly the work of Dr Parker.

Descriptions of chrysophyte genera were subsequently published in J. Kristiansen & H.R. Preisig (eds.). 2001. Encyclopedia of Chrysophyte Genera. Bibliotheca Phycologica 110: 1-260.

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Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 22 July 2024. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 29 December 2024