Two amphi-Atlantic species of Botryocladia (Rhodymeniales, Rhodophyta) in the Canary Islands (Eastern Atlantic)
Date
2004Abstract
The morphology of the western Atlantic Botryocladia shanksii E. Y. Dawson
and B. pyriformis (Børgesen) Kylin are examined in material collected in the Canary
Islands, confirming the amphi-Atlantic distribution of both species. Botryocladia shanksii,
which was found growing in the lower eulittoral, is reported for the first time in the eastern Atlantic, and the origin and disposition of tetrasporangia is documented. Tetrasporangia
are derived from inner intercalary cortical cells and are scattered throughout the cortex in
the subsurface cortical layer. The occurrence of B. pyriformis in the eastern Atlantic is confirmed by an examination of deep-water plants from the Canaries that are in agreement
with the original description of Chrysymenia pyriformis Børgesen. Cystocarp structure is
described in detail for the first time. Cystocarps are largely immersed in the vesicle with
compact lobed gonimoblasts composed entirely of angular carposporangia. The distribution
of Botryocladia species in the Atlantic Ocean is given.