Comparative observations on Cephaleuros parasiticus and C. virescens (Trentepohliaceae, Chlorophyta) from India

doi:2014.29.2.121

Algae > Volume 29(2); 2014 > Article

Algae 2014;29(2): 121-126. doi: https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2014.29.2.121

Yasuo Suto¹, E. K. Ganesan^2,a,* and John A. West³

¹5-11-46, Agenogi, Matsue, Shimane, Japan
²Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidad de Oriente, Cumaná 6101, Venezuela
³School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia

*Corresponding Author

Email: ekganesan@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Cephaleuros parasiticus and C. virescens were collected from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, India. Macroscopic and microscopic features were observed and their comparative features were discussed. The lesions of C. parasiticus occur on the upper and lower leaf surfaces although zoosporangia form only on the lower surface. The thalli grow subepidermally and intramatrically, causing necrosis of whole leaf tissue. On the other hand C. virescens thalli develop on the upper surface and zoosporangia form on the upper surface, the thalli grow subcuticularly, and only the host epidermal and palisade cells are necrosed. Syzygium aromaticum and Polyalthia longifolia are new host plants of C. parasiticus and C. virescens, respectively.

Key words: Cephaleuros parasiticus; C. virescens; comparative observations; host plants; Polyalthia; Syzygium