Gonatogenia J.Agardh, 1896: 115
Classification:
Empire Eukaryota
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Rhodophyta
Subphylum Eurhodophytina
Class Florideophyceae
Subclass Rhodymeniophycidae
Order Ceramiales
Family Rhodomelaceae
Holotype species: Gonatogenia subulata J.Agardh
Original publication and holotype designation:Agardh, J.G. (1896). Analecta algologica, Continuatio III. Lunds Universitets Års-Skrift, Andra Afdelningen, Kongl. Fysiografiska Sällskapets i Lund Handlingar 32(2): 1-140, 1-8 [index], 1 plate.
Taxonomic status: currently recognized as a distinct genus.
Gender: This genus name is currently treated as feminine.
Description: Upright thalli, polysiphonous, up to 40 cm tall, many cylindrical cartilaginous branches which are covered in younger stages with unbranched colored, persistent, but gradually lost trichoblasts. Every segment with a trichoblast initial in a 1/4 spiral, and some trichoblasts having polysiphonous branches developing abaxially on the 4th to 7th cell from the trichoblast base. 5 pericentral cells that become thickly corticated in older axes, more thinly corticated distally. Axial dwarf branchlets often are uncorticated. Reproductive structures (Kylin 1956) on much reduced adventitious branchlets, 2-4 mm long, developed in axils of trichoblasts. Fertile branchlets with or without cortication and with deciduous trichoblasts. Tetrasporangia in corticated branchlets with branches, sporangia distal, 2 per segment in two rows, alternating pairs in opposite positions. Male capitula cylindrical with sterile tip often filamentous, bearing branchlet uncorticated and unbranched or few branchlets. Cystocarps ellipsoidal, on short stalks on unbranched corticated branchlet.
Comments: Rare, sublittoral, only known on Australia's southern and western coasts. The descriptions of Schmitz (1897) and Kylin (1956) differ in some important characterizations; it may be that Kylin made further observations on specimens in the Agardh Herbarium, adding a few new observations. Gonatogenia and Holotrichia have similar structure, and it seems that some descriptions in the literature have confused the two genera. Further research may show that these two genera should be combined into one.
Numbers of names and species: There is only one species or infraspecific name in the database at present, which has been flagged as currently accepted taxonomically.
Names: ('C' indicates a name that is currently accepted taxonomically; 'S' a homotypic or heterotypic synonym; 'U' indicates a name of uncertain taxonomic status, but which has been subjected to some verification nomenclaturally; 'P' indicates a preliminary AlgaeBase entry that has not been subjected to any kind of verification. For more information on a species click on it to activate a link to the Species database):
Gonatogenia subulata J.Agardh C - type
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: http://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=40640
Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 2013. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 23 May 2013.
Algaebase taxon LSID: urn:lsid:algaebase.org:taxname:7845
