Lessoniopsis Reinke, 1903

Holotype species: Lessoniopsis litoralis (Tilden) Reinke

Original publication and holotype designation: Reinke, J. (1903). Studien zur vergleichenden Entwicklungsgeschichte der Laminariaceen. pp. [1] - 67, [68], 15 figs. Kiel: Schmidt & Klaunig.

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Description: Thallus to 2 m long, perennial. Holdfast consisting of tough compacted mass of dichotomously branching haptera. Stipe tough, almost woody, in lower portion, branching dichotomously numerous times above. Blades linear, 6-12 mm wide, to 1 m in length, borne singly on each arm of the stipe. Growth by longitudinal splitting of blades, resulting in densely divided upper portion with numerous blades. Older blades with flattened midrib.

Spores produced in unilocular sporangia with paraphyses on sporophylls borne laterally near base of primary dichotomies of stipe. Sporophylls without midrib, usually shorter and broader than vegetative blades. Gametophytes dimorphic, dioecious, oogamous, branched uniseriate filaments.

Information contributed by: R.J. Lewis & M.D. Guiry. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2009-08-13 by M.D. Guiry.

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

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Lane, C.E., Mayes, C., Druehl, L.D. & Saunders, G.W. (2006). A multi-gene molecular investigation of the kelp (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) supports substantial taxonomic re-organization. Journal of Phycology 42: 493-512.

Comments: This taxon is easily recognized and locally common in the intertidal zone on shores exposed to full surf along the Pacific coast of North America.

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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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in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=42107

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 13 August 2009. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 25 November 2024