Mastocarpus stellatus (Stackhouse) Guiry 1984

Publication Details
Mastocarpus stellatus (Stackhouse) Guiry 1984: 53

Published in: Guiry, M.D., West, J.A., Kim, D.-H. & Masuda, M. (1984). Reinstatement of the genus Mastocarpus Kützing (Rhodophyta). Taxon 33: 53-63.

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Type Species
The type species (lectotype) of the genus Mastocarpus is Mastocarpus mammillosus (Goodenough & Woodward) Kützing.

Status of Name
This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Basionym
Fucus stellatus Stackhouse

Type Information
Type locality: western shores of England; (Stackhouse 1797: 53, pl. 12) Type: Stackhouse; Notes: The name has been typified with Stackhouse’s description in Withering (1797: 99); the original specimens have not been found. The figure in pl. 12 of Stackhouse (1797) could serve as a lectotype.

Origin of Species Name
Adjective (Latin), stellate, with narrow divisions radiating from the center like the rays of a star (Stearn 1983).

General Environment
This is a marine species.

Description
Cartilaginous, purplish brown fronds, often in dense tufts, arising from a discoid holdfast, to 200 mm high. Narrow compressed stipe expands into strap-like blade, usually inrolled to form a channel, with thickened margins. Repeatedly dichotomously branched, axils acute. Upper part of frond with papillae to 10 mm or more long on surfaces and margins on female plants. Male plants lack papillae and are generally rare. Tetrasporophyte a purplish-black crust (Petrocelis-phase).

Habitat
On rocks in lower intertidal, often in large continuous mats, widespread and abundant.

Key Characteristics
Inrolled margins, cystocarps in papillae.

Created: 30 March 1996 by M.D. Guiry.

Last updated: 17 February 2020

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Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=24

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 17 February 2020. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 29 December 2024

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