Porphyra aeodis sp. nov. (Bangiales,Rhodophyta), an epiphyte of Aeodes orbitosa from South Africa |
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| Authors: | Neil Griffin John Bolton Robert Anderson |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Botany, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa;2. Seaweed Unit, Marine and Coastal Management, Private Bag X2, Roggebaai 8012, South Africa |
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| Abstract: | A new species of Porphyra is described from the south western Cape, South Africa. The gametophyte of Porphyra aeodis sp. nov. grows epiphytically on Aeodes orbitosa (Suhr) Schmitz, and has a seasonal life history that matches that of its host. Although P. aeodis has been confused with P. capensis Kützing in the past, P. aeodis is more similar to the sympatric but epilithic P. saldanhae Stegenga, Bolton et Anderson. There is considerable morphological overlap between P. aeodis and P. saldanhae, although they may be distinguished using a combination of morphological and ecological characters. The taxonomic separation of P. aeodis and P. saldanhae was confirmed using isozyme electrophoresis. |
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| Keywords: | Bangiales electrophoresis isozymes morphology Porphyra aeodis Porphyra capensis Porphyra saldanhae Rhodophyta South Africa taxonomy |
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