Pseudocodium Weber Bosse, 1896

Holotype species: Pseudocodium devriesii Weber Bosse

Original publication and holotype designation: Weber-van Bosse, A. (1896). On a new genus of siphonean algae - Pseudocodium. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Botany 32: 209-212, Plate 1.

Description: Thallus erect, to at least 10 cm. tall, consisting of holdfast and a series of dichotomously or subdichotomously branched cylindrical or compressed axes ca. 1-3 cm. broad, thereby macroscopically resembling Codium spp. The genus is also similar to Codium in containing mannan in siphon walls. Microscopically, however, Pseudocodium appears more similar to Halimeda, since it consists of a core of medullary siphons surrounded by a cortex of swollen, cohering utricles (medullary branches) which are hexagonal or polygonal in surface view. It also lacks septa associated with reproductive structures. In a variety of morphological aspects Pseudocodium seems intermediate between Codium and Halimeda, leading to the family name Pseudocodiaceae being proposed. Both homoplasty and heteroplasty have been reported. Growth is indeterminate. Reproductive structures have been described only for the species floridanum. Spherical to ellipsoidal clustered structures are produced from the medullary filaments, which remain internal. Septa between reproductive and vegetative portions, and specialized discharge tubes have not been observed.

Information contributed by: L. Hillis. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2022-02-28 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 neuter.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Cremen, C.M., Leliaert, F., West, J.[A.], Lam, D.W., Shimada, S. Lopez-Bautista, J.M. & Verbruggen, H. (2019). Reassessment of the classification of Bryopsidales (Chlorophyta) based on chloroplast phylogenomic analyses. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 130: 397-405, 2 figs.

Comments: Known geographic distribution is South Africa, New Caledonia, South Australia, and the west coast Florida. Pseudocodium grows on sand or rock, from upper sublittoral to at least -55m. depth

Verification of Data
Users are responsible for verifying the accuracy of information before use, as noted on the website Content page.

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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in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=42540

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 28 February 2022. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 22 November 2024