PHYLOGENETIC AND TAXONOMIC REASSESSMENT OF THE DELESSERIACEAE (CERAMIALES, RHODOPHYTA) BASED ON TWO MOLECULAR DATA SETS

Scinaia latifrons Howe is one of the main species in rhodolith beds between 30 and 90 feet; however, little known about the morphological changes of this species. Consequently, we investigated the phenological changes of the species at San Lorenzo channel from December 1998 to December 1999 (based on bi-weekly sampling during the first 6 months and monthly sampling during the last part of the study). The gametophyte phase of the species is present from December to late May and the sporophyte potentially is present the rest of the year. The peak of the development occurs in April and reproduction occurs in small size plants with two cohorts in the period. This species presents an allometric growth pattern due to the lack of correlation between size and width of the plant or branching patterns. Our data suggest that temperature and light control the development of the plant. Furthermore, we found the spermatagonial structure in the same thallus as the female/carposporophyte plant indicating that this species is monoeious (contrary to what was considered previously). This suggests that some taxonomic problems are present in this species in relation with S. cottoni.