A new red algal parasite, Symphyocolax koreana gen. et sp. nov. (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales), from Korea

doi:2010.25.3.105

Algae > Volume 25(3); 2010 > Article

Algae 2010;25(3): 105-113. doi: https://doi.org/10.4490/ALGAE.2010.25.3.105

Myung Sook Kim¹^,* and Ga Youn Cho²

¹Department of Biology, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea
²Division of Non-Vascular Plants, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon 404-708, Korea

ABSTRACT

A new red algal parasite, Symphyocolax koreana M. S. Kim, gen. et sp. nov., has been found on a specimen of Symphyocladia latiuscula (Harvey) Yamada, a member of the tribe Pterosiphonieae of the Rhodomelaceae; this genus has never before been reported to host red algal parasites. Here, the new parasite from Korea is described in terms of vegetative and reproductive morphology. The thallus has a minute, colored polysiphonous upright axis with many branches attached by pseudoparenchymatous pulvinate bases. There are six pericentral cells, with many corticated cells in the lower part of the main branches. Trichoblasts occur on dioecious male and female gametophytes, but not on tetrasporophytes. Procarps develop on suprabasal cells of trichoblasts and consist of a four-celled carpogonial branch and two sterile cells attached to the supporting cell. Spermatangial branches are borne one per each successive segment on monosiphonous pedicels in spiral positions with fertile trichoblast. Tetrasporangia are formed one per segment in a straight series and are tetrahedrally divided. Features of the vegetative axes, procarp, spermatangial trichoblasts, and tetrasporangial branching show that the new genus is an alloparasite belonging to the tribe Polysiphonieae.

Key words: parasite; Rhodomelaceae; Rhodophyta; Symphyocladia; Symphyocolax; taxonomy