Microdictyon japonicum Setchell (Anadyomenaceae, Chlorophyta) from Korea

Algae > Volume 16(2); 2001 > Article

Algae 2001;16(2): 137-143.

Yoon Sik Oh, Mi Sook Hwang, In Kyu Lee

Division of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Mokpo Laboratory, South Sea Fisheries Institute, National Fisheries Research & Development Institute (NFRDI), School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University

ABSTRACT

Of seven species of Microdictyon recorded from the western coast of the Pacific, only one species M. japonicum Setchell occurred exclusively in Cheju Island, Korea. On the basis of previous floristic investigations of the species, further morphological characteristics were described in this study. The fronds developed at first from attachments and clavate basal segments, from which several main segments on the same plane were issued upwards in umbellate manner. Thus, the fronds usually became more or less orbicular in outline with lacerate margins and bright green color. The individual segments divided several times successively to issue three to five segments radially. Each of them grew as main segments to develop short side branches as secondary segments oppositely from every cell. All the apex of cells had actually or potentially a coalescent function with adjacent cells to contact. This construction of segments formed consequently an orbicularly expanded habit.