Bibliographic Detail
Düwel, L. & Wegeberg, S., 1996
Reference:
Düwel, L. & Wegeberg, S. (1996). The typification and status of Leptophytum (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta). Phycologia 35: 470-483.
Abstract:
The status of the genus Leptophytum Adey has been uncertain, because the location of the nomenclatural type, Lithophyllum
laeve Stromfelt nom. illeg., was unknown for years. In order to solve the problem of the missing type, new material was
collected at the type locality of Lithophyllum laeve, Eyrarbakki, South Iceland. Part of the holotype has recently been found
but does not show any diagnostic characters. The material collected at the type locality agrees well with Stromfelt's description
of Lithophyllum laeve, and an epitype is designated. The epitype is found to be conspecific with Phymatolithon
lenormandii (Areschoug in 1. Agardh) Adey. Leptophytum laeve Adey, the type species of Leptophytum, therefore becomes
a nomenclatural synonym of P. lenormandii and Leptophytum a nomenclatural synonym of Phymatolithon Foslie. The status
of the genus Leptophytum and the features distinguishing the genus from Phymatolithon are discussed.
Leptophytum laeve must be renamed however, because Adey's concept of it is taxonomically different from P. lenormandii.
The lectotype of Lithothamnion tenue Rosenvinge is therefore designated and redescribed. Adey's concept of Leptophytum
laeve is in full accordance with the lectotype of Lithothamnion tenue, which belongs to the genus Phymatolilhon Foslie,
and the new combination Phymatolithon tenue (Rosenvinge) Diiwel et Wegeberg is proposed. The holotype of Lithothamnion
foecundum Kjellman has been examined, and the new combination Phymatolithon foecundum (Kjellman) Düwel et Wegeberg
is also proposed.
