Erythrocolon J.Agardh, 1896

Holotype species:

Original publication and holotype designation: Grunow, A. (1874). Algen der Fidschi-, Tonga- und Samoa-Inseln, gesammelt von Dr. E. Graeffe> Erste Folge: Phaeosporeae, Fucoideae und Florideae. Journal des Museum Godeffroy 3: 23-50.

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Description: Thallus erect or decumbent, with hollow, tubular, irregularly constricted, articulated, irregularly branched fronds. Construction multiaxial, cortex of a 1-2 layers of small cells, medulla consisting of cavities filled with a weak mucilage, lined with a single layer of large colourless cells covered with an additional layer of cells similar in size to the cortical cells. Secretory cells sessile, rhizoids or longitudinal filaments absent; diaphragms at the constrictions consisting of 1-2 layers of large cells. Spermatangial plants unknown. Carpogonial and auxiliary cell branches unknown, gonimoblast developing outwards. Cystocarps ostiolate, scattered, never coronate, strongly protruding, most cells forming carposporangia, tela arachnoidea absent. Tetrasporangia formed from cortical filaments, scattered. Spores regularly cruciately arranged. No information is available on the growth in culture or life history of Erythrocolon podogaricum, the only known species. It is likely that species have a 'Polysiphonia-type' life history.

Information contributed by: M.D. Guiry. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2010-10-08 by M.D. Guiry.

Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Schneider, C.W. & Wynne, M.J. (2007). A synoptic review of the classification of red algal genera a half a century after Kylin's "Die Gattungen der Rhodophyceen". Botanica Marina 50: 197-249.

Comments: Erythrocolon is closely related to Coelarthrum (q.v.), from which it is distinguished by the presence of a layer of small cells lining the medullary cavity, the absence of stellate cells bearing the secretory cells, and the irregular nature of the constrictions However, such characters are variable; for example, within the genus Botryocladia, where some species may form an additional layer lining the inside of the thallus wall, and Erythrocolon may eventually be included in Coelarthrum. Weber-van Bosse (1928, fig. 204) illustrated a section of a cystocarp in which there appear to be cells resembling a tela arachnoidea; this may merely be mucilage, as is the case in Halichrysis concrescens (Huvé and Huvé 1976). Erythrocolon podagricum is known only from tropical and subtropical seas: Tahiti (Friendly Is, type locality), Tonga Is., Indonesia and New Guinea, Yonakuni I., Japan, Mauritius and Hawaii (Abbott and Littler 1969). This species has been recorded on very few occasions; Abbott and Littler (1969: 169) claimed to have examined all specimens cited in the literature except for some lost during bombing raids in World War II.

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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=35207

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 08 October 2010. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 28 March 2024

 
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