Sparlingia G.W.Saunders, I.W.Strachan & Kraft, 1999

Holotype species: Sparlingia pertusa (Postels & Ruprecht) G.W.Saunders, I.M.Strachan & Kraft

Original publication and holotype designation: Saunders, G.W., Strachan, I.M. & Kraft, G.T. (1999). The families of the order Rhodymeniales (Rhodophyta): a molecular-systematic investigation with a description of Faucheaceae fam. nov. Phycologia 38: 23-40.

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Description: Thallus stipitate with obovate to elliptical simple or sparingly subdichotomous, perforate blades arising from a short stipe borne on a discoid holdfast. Structure multiaxial, cortex of 1-2 layers of small cells, medulla of 3-5 layers of large colorless cells. Male, female and tetrasporangial thalli isomorphic. Spermatangia formed terminally from cortical cells on both blade surfaces. Procarpic, carpogonial branches 4-celled; auxiliary cells branches 2-celled, gonimoblast developing outwards. Cystocarps ostiolate, relatively large, scattered, never coronate, protruding slightly outwards, tela arachnoidea absent. Tetrasporangia formed from intercalary cortical cells, scattered or in ill-defined patches; cortical modification absent. Spores regularly cruciately arranged.

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.

Gender: This genus name is currently treated as feminine.

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: Saunders, Strachan and Kraft's (1999) molecular study of various representatives of the Rhodymeniales shows that Rhodymenia pertusa (Postels and Ruprecht) J. Agardh is not homologous with other species of the genus. More studies of the many species of Rhodymenia are required before further species can be segregated. Sparlingia pertusa, widely distributed in the colder waters of the N. Pacific, is quite unlike any other Rhodymenia species in its generally unbranched, obovate to elliptical, perforate blades.

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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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in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=43109

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 24 April 2024