Metamorphe Falkenberg, 1897

Holotype species: Metamorphe colensoi (Hooker f. & Harvey) Falkenberg

Original publication and holotype designation: Schmitz, F. & Falkenberg, P. (1897). Rhodomelaceae. In: Die natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien nebst ihren Gattungen und wichtigeren Arten insbesondere den Nutzpflanzen unter Mitwirkung zahlreicher hervorragender Fachgelehrten, Teil 1, Abteilung 2. (Engler, A. & Prantl, K. Eds), pp. 421-480. Leipzig: verlag von Wilhelm Engelmann.

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Description: Thalli polysiphonous, with 4 uncorticated pericentral cells at maturity thalli. Juvenile thallus determinate, radially organized, producing, endogenously, indeterminate branches that become prostrate, dorsiventrally oriented, developing a regular and characteristic sequence of branching on successive segments: segment 1 with a determinate branch to the left; segment 2 with a dorsal trichoblast; segment 3 with a determinate branch to the right; segment 4 with a ventral trichoblast; segment 5 with an indeterminate branch to the left; segment 6 with a dorsal trichoblast; segment 7 with an indeterminate branch to the right; segment 8 with a ventral trichoblast, segment 9 same as segment 1, etc. Rhizoids also produced in regular positions from ventral pericentral cells usually on a segment proximal and on the side opposite to the polysiphonous lateral distal to it. Rhizoids also formed on ventral pericentral adjacent to polysiphonous branches. Lateral arrangement of polysiphonous branches producing distichously branched thalli. After establishing an extensive dorsiventral prostrate system, Metamorphe often has erect thalli that are identical to prostrate system except that rhizoids usually are absent. This genus, therefore, may have almost identically branched thalli that are of both dorsiventral (prostrate) and bilateral (erect) orientation. Reproductive branches formed only on erect thalli. Gametophytes producing fertile trichoblasts in normal positions of these branchlets or on fertile trichoblasts on indeterminate branches developing from the basal cell of determinate polysiphonous branchlets. Cystocarps globose, occurring in two longitudinal rows on indeterminate branches. Male capitula borne on lowermost branches of trichoblasts in positions similar to those bearing procarps; sterile terminal cell usually present. Tetrasporangia produced in a spiral series, singly in each segment of 2nd and subsequent orders of branches on indeterminate branches (Kraft & Woelkerling 1981, fig 4.10B).

Information contributed by: R.E. Norris. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2010-10-07 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: Intertidal and subtidal, New Zealand.

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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=42608

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 07 October 2010. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 19 April 2024