Rhodomela C.Agardh, 1822, nom. cons.

Holotype species: Rhodomela subfusca (Woodward) C.Agardh

Currently accepted name for the type species: Rhodomela confervoides (Hudson) P.C.Silva

Original publication and holotype designation: Agardh, C.A. (1822). Species algarum rite cognitae, cum synonymis, differentiis specificis et descriptionibus succinctis. Volumen primum pars posterior. pp. [v-vi], 169-398. Lundae [Lund]: ex officina Berlingiana.

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Description: Upright cylindrical thalli, up to 50 cm tall, from a discoid holdfast, sometimes stoloniferous; polysiphonous, axis monopodial with many branches both determinate and indeterminate. 6 or 7 pericentral cells, each dividing transversely, the distal cell retaining a pit connection with axial cell; pericentral cells dividing several times anticlinally and periclinally forming a several layered cortex. Apices produce vegetative trichoblasts in a spiral sequence, trichoblasts simple or branched, pigmented at least in early developmental stages. Polysiphonous branches exogenously produced in branch apices; adventitiously formed, often in axillary positions, in older parts of thalli. Germlings bipolar, upright branch developing as a primary system; spirally arranged trichoblasts or branches on subsequent segments. Reproductive structures on trichoblasts or in distal parts of ordinary or determinate adventitious polysiphonous branchlets. Spermatangia on surface of distal part of determinate branchlet, sometimes extending onto proximal cells of trichoblasts. Procarps usually on suprabasal segment of fertile trichoblast in distal part of ordinary branches; comprised of a 4-celled carpogonial branch and 2 sterile cell groups attached to a supporting cell; cystocarps ovoid to urceolate, on short lateral stalks on bearing branch. Tetrasporangia in distal part of ordinary branches of 2nd to 6th orders, sometimes on adventitious branches; in 6-10 successive segments, 2 per segment.

Information contributed by: R.E. Norris. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2017-01-19 by M.D. Guiry.

Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Gender: This genus name is currently treated as feminine.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Schneider, C.W. & Wynne, M.J. (2007). A synoptic review of the classification of red algal genera a half a century after Kylin's "Die Gattungen der Rhodophyceen". Botanica Marina 50: 197-249.

Comments: Arctic to temperate shores in northern hemisphere. One species in Atlantic South America (Taylor 1939).

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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.

Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=32795

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 19 January 2017. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 03 December 2024