Morphology and taxonomy of five marine sand-dwelling Thecadinium species (Dinophyceae) from Japan, including four new species: Thecadinium arenarium sp. nov., Thecadinium ovatum sp. nov., Thecadinium striatum sp. nov. and Thecadinium yashimaense sp. nov.

Thecadinium inclinatum Balech and four new marine sand‐dwelling species of the dinoflagellate genus Thecadinium are described from the sandy beaches along the coast of Shikoku, Japan. Thecadinium inclinatum is thecate, bilaterally flattened, elliptical in shape, non‐photosynthetic, and measures 55–75 μ in length and 43–59 μ in depth. The epi‐ and hypotheca theca are semielliptical and the thecal surface is smooth with small pores. The plate formula is Po (pore plate), 3′, 7″,?c,?s, 5″′1″′.Thecadinium ovatum sp. nov. is thecate, non‐photosynthetic, bilaterally flattened and almost oval in lateral view. The cell measures 40–50 μm in length and 33–40 μm in depth. The hypotheca has two or three strong antapical spines. The plate formula is 3′, 6″,6c, 5s?, 5″′, 1″′. Thecadinium striatum sp. nov. is thecate, non‐photosynthetic, bilaterally flattened and somewhat elliptical in lateral view. The cell is 33–41 μm long and 23–30 μm deep. Several striae are present on the hypotheca. The plate formula is 3′, 6″, 6c, 5s?, 5″′, 1″″. Thecadinium yashimaense sp. nov. is bilaterally flattened, photosynthetic and elliptical in ventral view. The cell is 44–65 μm long and 23–36 μm wide. The thecal surface is smooth with small pores. he cingulum forms a steep left–handed spiral. The plate formula is Po, 3′, la, 6″, 5c, 4s, 5″′, 1″′. Thecadinium arenarium sp. nov. is somewhat wedge‐shaped in ventral view, photosynthetic with brownish chloroplasts and almost rounded in cross section. The cingulum forms a steep left‐handed spiral. The cell measures 35–41 μm in length and 25–30 μm in width. The thecal surface is weakly reticulated with small pores. The hypotheca is conical. The plate formula is Po, 3′, la, 6″, 5c, 4s, 5″′, 1″″.     

Leucobacter chromiireducens sp. nov, and Leucobacter aridicollis sp. nov., two new species isolated from a chromium contaminated environment

Two strains designated strains L-1^T and L-9^T were isolated from activated sludge of a treatment plant that receives wastewater from the tannery industry contaminated with chromium. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the organisms represented two new species of the genus Leucobacter. Strains L-1^T and L-9^T could be distinguished from the type strain of L. komagatae and from the type strain of “L. albus” by the B-type peptidoglycan composition, fatty acid composition, several phenotypic and physiological characteristics. The major fatty acids of the organisms were iso- and anteiso-branched C15:0 and C17:0, straight-chain C16:0 was also found in relatively high proportions. The organisms were halotolerant, grew in medium containing 9% NaCl, and all strains, including the type strain of L. komagatae grew in medium containing 5 mM Cr(VI). On the basis of the distinct peptidoglycan composition, 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis, percentage of DNA-DNA reassociation values, and phenotypic characteristics we are of the opinion that strain L-1^T represents a new species of the genus Leucobacter for which we propose the name Leucobacter chromiireducens and that strain L-9^T represents an additional new species of the same genus for which we propose the name Leucobacter aridicollis.     

Candida alocasiicola sp. nov., Candida hainanensis sp. nov., Candida heveicola sp. nov. and Candida musiphila sp. nov., novel anamorphic, ascomycetous yeast species isolated from plants

In a taxonomic study on the ascomycetous yeasts isolated from plant materials collected in tropical forests in Yunnan and Hainan Provinces, southern China, four strains isolated from tree sap (YJ2E(T)) and flowers (YF9E(T), YWZH3C(T) and YYF2A(T)) were revealed to represent four undescribed yeast species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the large subunit (26S) rRNA gene D1/D2 domain sequences showed that strain YJ2E(T) was located in a clade together with Candida haemulonii and C. pseudohaemulonii. Strain YF9E(T) was most closely related to C. azyma and strain YWZH3C(T) to C. sorbophila and C. spandovensis. Strain YYF2A(T) was clustered in a clade containing small-spored Metschnikowia species and related anamorphic Candida species. The new strains differed from their closely related described species by more than 10% mismatches in the D1/D2 domain. No sexual states were observed for the four strains on various sporulation media. The new species are therefore assigned to the genus Candida and described as Candida alocasiicola sp. nov. (type strain, YF9E(T) = AS 2.3484(T) = CBS 10702(T)), Candida hainanensis sp. nov. (type strain, YYF2A(T) = AS 2.3478(T) = CBS 10696(T)), Candida heveicola sp. nov. (type strain, YJ2E(T) = AS 2.3483(T) = CBS 10701(T)) and Candida musiphila sp. nov. (type strain, YWZH3C(T) = AS 2.3479(T) = CBS 10697(T)).     

Three anamorphic yeast species Candida sanitii sp. nov., Candida sekii sp. nov. and Candida suwanaritii, three novel yeasts in the Saturnispora clade isolated in Thailand

Nine strains of three novel anamorphic yeast species were obtained from samples collected in Thailand including six strains (RV96, RV152, R14, RS9, RS58 and EA1) obtained from estuarine waters collected from two mangrove forests, one strain (ST84) from insect frass and two strains (SR16 and UB13) from forest soils. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene, the nine strains were found to represent three novel Candida species in the Saturnispora clade. Five strains (RV96, RV152, R14, RS9 and RS58) were assigned as a single novel species, which was named Candida sanitii sp. nov. The type strain is RV152^T (BCC 25967^T=NBRC 103864^T=CBS 10864^T). Strain EA1 was named as Candida suwanaritii sp. nov. The type strain is EA1^T (BCC 29900^T=NBRC 104877^T=CBS 11021^T). Three strains (ST84, SR16 and UB13) represented another novel species, for which Candida sekii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ST84^T (BCC 8320^T=NBRC 105671^T=CBS 10931^T).     

Postdispersal survivorship of north Queensland rainforest seeds and fruits: Effects of forest,habitat and species

Abstract Diaspore (seed and/or fruit) survivorship of 12 species of North Queensland rainforest trees was monitored over a 4 week period in two rainforests on the Atherton Tableland, north Queensland, Australia, with replicated sites in forest interiors, canopy gaps, forest edges and adjacent pastures. General linear modelling was used to estimate the relative importance of forest site, habitat, species and diaspore type on survival. The probability of survival varied significantly among species, between habitat, forest and diaspore types. Survival averaged 41.2% at day 28, was greater in one forest (Curtain Fig, 56.1%) than the other (Lamins Hill, 25.3%) and was apparently inversely related to the abundance of rodents. In both forests, survival declined in the order: pasture ≥ forest edge ≥ forest interior = canopy gap. A lack of significant difference between the forest interior and canopy gap is consistent with findings in other rainforest sites within Australia, but contrasts with most results from other continents. The study also indicated that diaspore weight was an important intrinsic variable affecting survival, the predators (mostly rodents) taking small to moderately large diaspores rather than the very large ones.     

不同年际间异子蓬种子大小、萌发能力及结实格局

异子蓬(Borszczowia aralocaspica)为中亚荒漠特有种,在我国仅分布于新疆,其果实具有二型性。对同一生长地2006、2007、2008年异子蓬种子的大小、萌发特性及结实格局进行比较,结果表明:(1)年份和种子类型对种子大小和重量均有显著影响(P<0.05)。(2)2种类型种子具有不同的萌发行为,褐色种子萌发率高(>90%),萌发速度快,而黑色种子萌发率低(2006年的萌发率为31%),萌发速度慢;2种类型种子的萌发指数在不同年际间均差异显著。(3)不同年际间,种子总数、褐色种子数、黑色种子数均具有极显著差异(P<0.001),且随个体的增大黑色种子的比例逐渐减小,褐色种子的比例逐渐增大,并且黑色种子数目均高于褐色种子数目。该研究为深入认识异型种子的生态适应对策提供理论基础。     

Meiothermus timidus sp. nov., a new slightly thermophilic yellow-pigmented species

Several yellow-pigmented isolates, with optimum growth temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees C, were recovered from hot springs in Central Portugal and the Azores. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA showed that these organisms represented a new species of the genus Meiothermus. The new isolates could be distinguished from other strains of the species of the genus Meiothermus by biochemical characteristics and the fatty acid composition because they had very high levels of iso C15:0 and iso C17:0 and very low levels of anteiso C17:0 and iso C16:0. On the basis of the results presented here we propose the name Meiothermus timidus for the new species represented by strains SPS-243(T) (=LMG 22897(T)=CIP 108604(T)), RQ-10 and RQ-12.     

Candida ratchasimensis sp. nov. and Candida khaoyaiensis sp. nov., two anamorphic yeast species isolated from flowers in Thailand

Two yeast strains of the genus Candida were isolated from wild flowers collected in Khao Yai National Park, Nakhonratchasima Province, Thailand. Based on morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene, strains BCC 7722^T (=NBRC 102563^T=CBS 10611^T) and BCC 7729^T (=NBRC 102565^T=CBS 10839^T) were found to represent two distinct novel Candida species, for which the names Candida ratchasimensis sp. nov. and Candida khaoyaiensis sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. In the phylogenetic tree constructed according to the neighbour-joining method based on sequences of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene, strains BCC 7722^T (GenBank accession no. AY228492 ) and BCC 7729^T (accession no. DQ400367 ) constituted a cluster with Candida cellae that was connected with a clade with Starmerella meliponinorum and Candida etschellsii . Within the D1/D2 domain, C. ratchasimensis and C. khaoyaiensis differ from C. cellae in 25 nucleotide substitutions with five gaps and 29 nucleotide substitutions with one gap, respectively.     

Wickerhamomyces edaphicus sp. nov. and Pichia jaroonii sp. nov., two ascomycetous yeast species isolated from forest soil in Thailand

Four yeast strains were isolated from soil in a mixed deciduous forest in Amphoe Wang Nam Khiao, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and the sequence analyses of the D1/D2 domain of the large-subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, small-subunit rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the three strains (S-29, S-63 and S-80) were found to represent a single species of the genus Wickerhamomyces , which were named Wickerhamomyces edaphicus sp. nov. The type strain is S-29^T (BCC 21231^T=NBRC 101969^T=CBS 10408^T). Strain S-75 represented a novel species of the genus Pichia on the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and the sequence analyses of the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene, for which the name Pichia jaroonii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S-75^T (BCC 23061^T, NRBC 102180^T=CBS 10930^T).     

Zygotorulaspora cornina sp. nov. and Zygotorulaspora smilacis sp. nov., Two Novel Ascomycetous Yeast Species Isolated from Plant Flowers and Fruits

Three isolates belonging to the ascomycetous genus Zygotorulaspora were obtained from the fruits of Cornus officinalis and Smilax china, and flowers of Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum in Gongju-si, Korea. Phylogenetic Analyses of the LSU D1/D2 domain and ITS region sequences supported the recognition of two new species: Zygotorulaspora cornina sp. nov. (type strain NIBRFGC000500475 = KACC93346P^PP) and Zygotorulaspora smilacis sp. nov. (type strain NIBRFGC000500476 = KACC93347P^PP). The two novel species revealed no growth on D-Galactose, unlike the other six species in the genus Zygotorulaspora. They are distinguished from each other by their phylogenetic differences and phenotypic characteristics such as assimilation of xylitol, 5-keto-D-gluconate, and ethanol. All species in the genus Zygotorulaspora including the two novel species have phenotypic traits of genus Zygotorulaspora: asci are persistent, sucrose and raffinose are assimilated, and m-inositol is not required for growth, and they are mainly associated with plants.     

Systematic revision of the genus Phycodrys (Delesseriaceae,Rhodophyta) from New Zealand,with the descriptions of three new species,P. novae-zelandiae sp. nov., P. franiae sp. nov. and P. adamsiae sp. nov.

Two species of Phycodrys, Phycodrys quercifolia (Bory) Skottsberg and Phycodrys profunda E.Y.Dawson were previously recorded from New Zealand. However, an examination of Phycodrys collections from the New Zealand region showed that all were morphologically different from P. quercifolia (Type locality: the Falkland Islands) and P. profunda (Type locality: CA, USA). RbcL sequence analyses established that the New Zealand Phycodrys species formed a natural assemblage within the genus, consisting of three new species: P. novae-zelandiae sp. nov., P. franiae sp. nov. and P. adamsiae sp. nov. Phycodrys novae-zelandiae is the largest of the three, up to 20 cm in height, with a distinct midrib and multicellular, opposite to subopposite lateral macroscopic veins. It has entirely monostromatic blades except near the midrib and veins, and its procarp contains a three-celled sterile group one (st1) and a one-celled sterile group two (st2). Phycodrys franiae was previously treated as a cryptic species among herbarium collections of P. ‘quercifolia’. It is smaller (4–11 cm high) with weakly developed midribs and veins, the blade is tristromatic throughout, except at the growing margins, and the procarp consists of a four-celled st1 and a two–three-celled st2. Phycodrys adamsiae, previously reported as P. profunda, is a small decumbent or prostrate plant, 1–8 cm long, with a midrib and inconspicuous lateral veins. The blades are tristromatic with serrated margins, two–four-celled surface spines and multicellular marginal holdfasts that differ from those of Californian specimens. The tetrasporangia are borne on marginal bladelets. Phylogenetic analyses place the New Zealand species in a separate group that is distantly removed from most other Phycodrys species.     

Nocardia testaceus sp. nov. and Nocardia senatus sp. nov., isolated from patients in Japan

Two actinomycete strains isolated from sputum between 1999 and 2001 in Japan were provisionally assigned to the genus Nocardia based on morphological criteria. These isolates were further studied in order to determine their specific taxonomic status. Detailed chemotaxonomic characterization and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis of these isolates also confirmed that they belong to the genus Nocardia. The 16S rDNA sequence data of the two strains showed that they are most similar to that of Nocardia carnea and Nocardia flavorosea. However, DNA-DNA relatedness data showed that the two strains could be distinguished from N. carnea and N. flavorosea and therefore represented two new species within the genus Nocardia. The designation of the two isolated strains are Nocardia testaceus for IFM 0937(T) (=JCM 12235(T), DSM 44765(T)) and Nocardia senatus for IFM 10088(T) (=JCM 12236(T), DSM 44766(T)).     

Halorubellus salinus gen. nov., sp. nov. and Halorubellus litoreus sp. nov., novel halophilic archaea isolated from a marine solar saltern

Two extremely halophilic archaeal strains GX3(T) and GX26(T) were isolated from the Gangxi marine solar saltern near the Weihai city of Shandong Province, China. Cells from the two strains were pleomorphic and stained Gram-negative, colonies were red-pigmented. Strains GX3(T) and GX26(T) were able to grow at 25-50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 1.4-5.1M NaCl (optimum 3.1M), at pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum pH 7.0) and neither strain required Mg(2+) for growth. Cells lyse in distilled water and the minimal NaCl concentration to prevent cell-lysis was 8% (w/v). The major polar lipids of the two strains were PA (phosphatidic acid), PG (phosphatidylglycerol), PGP-Me (phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester) and three major glycolipids (GL1, GL2 & GL3) chromatographically identical to S-TGD-1 (sulfated galactosyl mannosy glucosyl diether), S-DGD-1 (sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether), and DGD-1 (mannosyl glucosyl diether) respectively, an unidentified lipid (GL4) was also detected in strain GX26(T). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene revealed that strain GX3(T) and strain GX26(T) formed a distinct clade with the closest relative, Haladaptatus paucihalophilus (89.9-92.4% and 90.4-92.7, respectively). The rpoB' gene similarities between strains GX3(T) and GX26(T), and between the two strains and the closest relative, Halorussus rarus TBN4(T) are 96.5%, 84.3% and 83.9%, respectively. The DNA G+C contents of strain GX3(T) and strain GX26(T) are 67.3 mol% and 67.2 mol%, respectively. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain GX3(T) and strain GX26(T) was 44%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain GX3(T) and strain GX26(T) represent two novel species in a new genus within the family Halobacteriaceae, Halorubellus salinus gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain GX3(T)=CGMCC 1.10384(T)=JCM 17115(T)) and Halorubellus litoreus sp. nov. (type strain GX26(T)=CGMCC 1.10386(T)=JCM 17117(T)).     

Candida nonsorbophila sp. nov., a new ascomycetous yeast species isolated in Thailand

Four yeast strains, RS42, SSK10, ST-520 and ST-521, isolated from water in a mangrove forest, bark of a tree and fruit of Ficus sp., respectively, were found to represent a hitherto undescribed anamorphic species. The four strains are related to Candida sinolaborantium in the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene, but differed by eight nucleotide substitutions and two indels, and for this reason are regarded as members of a separate species. Because ascospore formation was not detected, it is described as a new species of Candida, Candida nonsorbophila sp. nov. The type strain is RS42^T (BCC 25963^T=NBRC 103860^T=CBS 10862^T). This species is distinguished from C. sinolaborantium by the inability to assimilate l -sorbose, l -rhamnose and galactitol, and a higher maximum growth temperature.     

Herminiimonas aquatilis sp. nov., a new species from drinking water

A bacterial strain (CCUG 36956T) isolated from drinking water was taxonomically studied in detail. Phylogenetic analyses using the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate indicated that it belongs to family Oxalobacteraceae of the beta-subclass of the Proteobacteria, with the highest sequence similarity of 99.3% to the type strain of Herminiimonas fonticola. In the polyamine pattern putrescine and 2-hydroxyputrescine were the predominant compounds. In the polar lipid profile major compounds were phosphatidyl ethanolamine and diphosphatidyl glycerol. Phosphatidyl glycerol and an unknown phospholipid were detected in moderate proportions. The major respiratory quinone was a ubiquinone Q-8 and the major whole cell fatty acids were 16:1 omega7c, 17:1 omega6c, and 16:0. The strain also contained 10:0 3-OH and other fatty acids typical for members of the genus Herminiimonas. The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain CCUG 36956T from H. fonticola. For this reason, we propose that strain CCUG 36956T represents a new species of the genus Herminiimonas for which we propose the name Herminiimonas aquatilis sp. nov.     

Two new species of anaerobic oxalate-fermenting bacteria,Oxalobacter vibrioformis sp. nov. and Clostridium oxalicum sp. nov., from sediment samples

Two types of new anaerobic bacteria were isolated from anoxic freshwater sediments. They grew in mineral medium with oxalate as sole energy source and with acetate as main carbon source. Oxalate as well as oxamate (after deamination) were decarboxylated to formate with growth yields of 1.2–1.4 g dry cell matter per mol oxalate degraded. No other organic or inorganic substrates were used, and no electron acceptors were reduced. Strain WoOx3 was a Gramnegative, non-sporeforming, motile vibrioid rod with a guanine-plus-cytosine content of the DNA of 51.6 mol%. It resembled the previously described genus Oxalobacter, and is described as a new species, O. vibrioformis. Strain AltOx1 was a Gram-positive, spore-forming, motile rod with a DNA base ratio of 36.3 mol% guanine-plus-cytosine. This isolate is described as a new species of the genus Clostridium, C. oxalicum.     

Two new anamorphic yeasts, Candida thailandica sp. nov. and Candida lignicola sp. nov., isolated from insect frass in Thailand

Two new yeast strains of the genus Candida were isolated from insect frass collected in Khao-Yai National Park, Nakhonrachasima, Thailand. Based on the morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of 26S rRNA gene, these two strains were found to represent two distinct undescribed species and were named Candida thailandica sp. nov. (ST-17 = BCC 7717(T) = NBRC 102562(T)=CBS 10 610) and Candida lignicola sp. nov. (ST-33 = BCC 7733(T) = NBRC 102564(T) = CBS 10612). In the D1/D2 domain of 26S rRNA gene, C. thailandica (GeneBank accession no. AY228491) differs from Candida tsuchiyae, the nearest species, in 66 nucleotide substitutions (10%) and C. lignicola (GeneBank accession no. AY845350) differs from Candida coipomoensis, the nearest species, in nine nucleotides (1.6%). These two new species are clearly distinguished from their closest species by the assimilation of several carbon compounds.     

Torulaspora maleeae sp. nov., a novel ascomycetous yeast species from Japan and Thailand

Nine strains of a new Torulaspora species were isolated from natural samples collected in Japan and Thailand including one strain obtained from a leaf of Rhizophora stylosa (NBRC 11061T), one strain from soil (NBRC 11062), six strains from mosses (ST-14, ST-266, ST-510, ST-511, ST-513 and ST-581) and one strain from sediment in mangrove forest (RV-51). On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and the sequence analyses of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) (ITS1-5.8S rRNA gene-ITS2) region, the nine strains were found to represent a single novel species of the genus Torulaspora, which were named Torulaspora maleeae sp. nov. The type strain is NBRC 11061T (BCC 25515T=CBS 10694T). In the phylogenetic trees based on the sequences of the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene, T. maleeae showed a close relationship with the five recognized species of the genus Torulaspora, Torulaspora delbrueckii, Torulaspora franciscae, Torulaspora globosa, Torulaspora microellipsoides and Torulaspora pretoriensis. Torulaspora maleeae differed from the five recognized species of the genus Torulaspora by six to 12 nucleotide substitutions (1.1-2.1%) in the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene and by 6.4-11.7% nucleotide substitutions in the ITS (ITS1-5.8S rRNA gene-ITS2) region.     

Classification of novel soil streptomycetes as Streptomyces aureus sp. nov., Streptomyces laceyi sp. nov. and Streptomyces sanglieri sp. nov

The taxonomic positions of soil isolates known as Streptomyces groups A, B and C were clarified. Comparative 16S rDNA sequence studies indicated that representatives of all three taxa formed distinct phyletic lines within the Streptomyces tree though the group A strains were shown to be related to Streptomyces griseus and associated validly described species. The taxonomic integrity of all three groups was highlighted by DNA:DNA relatedness and ribotype data though the group A strains encompassed a higher degree of genetic variation than the group B and C strains. In light of these and earlier phenotypic data it is proposed that Streptomyces groups A, B and C be given species status as Streptomyces sanglieri sp. nov., Streptomyces aureus sp. nov. and Streptomyces laceyi sp. nov., respectively. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Polysiphonia freshwateri sp. nov. and Polysiphonia koreana sp. nov.: two new species of Polysiphonia (Rhodomelaceae,Rhodophyta) from Korea

Polysiphonia sensu lato comprises approximately 200 species, which are currently assigned to several different genera. To date, one of these genera, namely, Polysiphonia, has been reported to have 17 species. Here, we describe for the first time P. freshwateri sp. nov. and P. koreana sp. nov. from Uljin and Ulleung Island, Korea, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Polysiphonia freshwateri sp. nov. and P. koreana sp. nov. are characterized by having the typical Polysiphonia features. Polysiphonia freshwateri sp. nov. is further characterized by having abundant trichoblasts, conspicuous scar cells, and tetrasporangia arranged in spiral series. Polysiphonia koreana sp. nov. is further characterized by having very scarce scar cells placed between two pericentral cells, from which cicatrigenous branches arise. The results of our rbcL sequence analyses support the taxonomic placement of P. freshwateri sp. nov. and P. koreana sp. nov. within Polysiphonia.