New red algal species, Erythroglossum hyacinthinum (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) from Korea

doi:2014.29.1.1

Algae > Volume 29(1); 2014 > Article

Algae 2014;29(1): 1-13. doi: https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2014.29.1.001

Jeong Chan Kang¹ and Myung Sook Kim¹^,*

¹Department of Biology and Research Institute for Basic Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea

*Corresponding Author

Email: myungskim@jejunu.ac.kr

ABSTRACT

The genus Erythroglossum is characterized by Phycodrys-type apical organization, Polyneura-type procarp, and the presence of a midrib. We collected an unidentified Delesseriaceaen species from deep water off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. This alga resembles Polyneura japonica in terms of having broadly flattened thalli with a cylindrical stipe, the presence of a midrib and alternative lateral veins. To confirm the taxonomic status of this entity, we compared the morphological features and rbcL sequences among other species of Erythroglossum and P. japonica. As a result, we assigned the new species, Erythroglossum hyacinthinum, to the genus Erythroglossum because of the presence of a midrib. This species is characterized by an elliptical to obovate blade with a short cylindrical stipe, a conspicuous midrib and alternate veins, margins with numerous microscopic dentations, di-trichotomously branching, and bluish-violate iridescence. The phylogeny of rbcL sequences indicates that E. hyacinthinum is definitely a separate entity, but the genera in the tribe Phycodryeae have inconsistent phylogenetic relationships. This is the first study comparing the molecular phylogeny within the genus Erythroglossum.

Key words: Delesseriaceae; Erythroglossum hyacinthinum sp. nov.; morphology; Phycodryeae; Polyneura; rbcL; Rhodophyta; taxonomy