Lophothalia Kützing, 1849

Holotype species: Lophothalia verticillata (Harvey) Kützing

Original publication and holotype designation: Kützing, F.T. (1849). Species algarum. pp. [i]-vi, [1]-922. Lipsiae [Leipzig]: F.A. Brockhaus.

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Description: Monopodially developed upright thallus with radial branching; polysiphonous branches cylindrical, corticated, with 5 (7) pericentrals; each segment with a simple pigmented, persistent trichoblast, arranged on axis in a 2/7 anticlockwise spiral. Adventitious trichoblast-like monosiphonous branches arise from pericentrals or cortical cells, often forming a verticel on segments. Polysiphonous branches arise on basal cell of proximal branch of trichoblast. Procarps formed on proximal 4th to 7th segment of trichoblast which has become polysiphonous in this region; a 4-celled carpogonial branch and a single group of sterile cells attached to supporting cell; two connecting cells cut off after fertilization. Cystocarps ovoid on a short stalk, ostiole terminating a short neck. Spermatangial capitula cylindrical, presumably replacing trichoblasts, with several terminal sterile cells. Tetrasporangia in distal parts of sometimes branched vegetative axes, two per segment, borne on 3rd and 4th pericentrals, 2 pre-sporangial and 1 post-sporangial cover cell. Tetrasporangia spirally arranged, segments swollen and bearing only primary trichoblast, no adventitious filaments.

Information contributed by: R.E. Norris. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2010-10-07 by M.D. Guiry.

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

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: Subtidal, southeastern Australia including Tasmania.

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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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in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=42872

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 07 October 2010. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 22 November 2024