Agarophyton Gurgel, J.N.Norris & Fredericq, 2018

Holotype species: Agarophyton chilense (C.J.Bird, McLachlan et E.C.Oliveira) Gurgel, J.N.Norris et Fredericq

Currently accepted name for the type species: Gracilaria chilensis C.J.Bird, McLachlan & E.C.Oliveira

Original publication and holotype designation: Gurgel, C.F.D., Norris, J.N., Schmidt, W.E., Le, H.N. & Fredericq, S. (2018). Systematics of the Gracilariales (Rhodophyta) including new subfamilies, tribes, subgenera, and two new genera, Agarophyton gen. nov. and Crassa gen. nov. Phytotaxa 374(1): 1-23.

Description: Algae with slender, cylindrical thalli; base crustose; main axis branching variable, subdichotomous to irregular, sometimes secund; secondary branches when present abundant, of variable lengths, also irregularly distributed along the main axes; cortical cells radially elongated, abrupt transition between cortex and medulla. Tetrasporangia cruciately divided. Spermatangial conceptacles of multiple kinds; forming shallow pits developed from cortical cells and flanked by elongated club-shaped cortical cells next to shallow, chilensis-type of conceptacles sensu Yamamoto (1984); to spermatangial resembling verrucosa-like conceptacles but without the cortical cell development as seen in Gracilaria subgen. Corallopsis keeping a clear separation between medullary cells and spermatangial-parent cells; to more morphologically complex cases of fused medullary conceptacles resembling the henriquesiana-type sensu Yamamoto (1984). Gonimoblast mass ampulliform or obpyriform, not completely filling the cystocarp cavity; inner gonimoblasts subglobose to oval, smaller outer gonimoblasts gradually giving rise to distinct radial chains of carposporangia at different stages of maturity, outer mature carposporangia obpyriform. Tubular nutritive cells either present or absent, when present tubular cells restricted to gonimoblast cells in vicinity of carpogonial fusion cells linking directly to inner pericarp cells or cortical cells. New tubular cells added at margin of gonimoblast mass as the cystocarp enlarges and carposporophyte develops a v-shaped concave base. New tubular cells particularly prominent along junction between carposporophyte base and pericarp. Multinucleate gametophytic cells enlarging, becoming deeply stained and interconnected by prominent pit connections in the vicinity of fused tubular cells. Pericarp cells contacted by gonimobast tubular cells not fusing with neighboring cells. Cells of sterile gonimoblasts large and pseudoparenchymatous.

Information kindly contributed by Gurgel et al. 2018 but may now be outdated.

Taxonomic status: This name is currently regarded as a synonym of Gracilaria.

Gender: This genus name is currently treated as neuter.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Lyra, D. de M., Iha, C., Grassa, C.J., Cai, L., Zhang, H.G., Lane, C., Blouin, N., Oliveira, M.C., Nunes, J. M de C. & Davis, C.C. (2021). Phylogenomics, divergence time estimation and trait evolution provide a new look into the Gracilariales (Rhodophyta). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 165(107294): [1-14], 4 figs.

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Contributors
Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in CD format. These AlgaeBase descriptions are now being continually updated, and each current contributor is identified above. The PSA and AlgaeBase warmly acknowledge the generosity of all past and present contributors and particularly the work of Dr Parker.

Descriptions of chrysophyte genera were subsequently published in J. Kristiansen & H.R. Preisig (eds.). 2001. Encyclopedia of Chrysophyte Genera. Bibliotheca Phycologica 110: 1-260.

Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=52630

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 17 September 2021. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 18 April 2024