Stichothamnion Børgesen, 1930
Holotype species: Stichothamnion cymatophilum Børgesen
Currently accepted name for the type species: Vertebrata cymatophila (Børgesen) Muñoz-Luque
Original publication and holotype designation: Børgesen, F. (1930). Marine algae from the Canary Islands especially from Tenerife and Gran Canaria III. Rhodophyceae. Part III. Ceramiales. Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab, Biologiske Meddelelser 9(1): 1-159, 60 figs.
Request PDFDescription: Polysiphonous, epiphytic, dorsiventral thalli with indeterminate prostrate branch system producing endogenously derived, determinate, radially oriented, upright branches. Trichoblasts colorless, rare and rudimentary on prostrate branches, very long, common and in 1/4 spiral series on upright branches; unbranched and with proximal cells last to mature. Many unicellular rhizoids on most segments of ventral prostrate axis, in a single row, thick-walled and deeply penetrating host. Apex of prostrate system straight; pericentral cells 7-9, uncorticated. Upright branches cylindrical, produced on dorsal side of prostrate branch, proximal segments with 5-6 pericentral cells, central segments with 7-9, and distal segments with fewer pericentrals forming a more or less lanceolate branch; dichotomous branching may occur in older, especially fertile branches. Germling an upright cylindrical polysiphonous, apparently determinate branch; probably endogenously developing a prostrate branch at a later time than was observed (Boergesen 1930). Reproductive structures formed on distal segments of upright branches. Tetrasporangia in terminal region, one per segment in a slight spiral series; segments somewhat swollen. Male capitula cylindrical, with a sterile tip, replacing trichoblasts on some distal segments. Procarps on second trichoblast segment that has become polysiphonous, uniseriate distal part of trichoblast soon deciduous; cystocarp ovoid-urceolate, often lateral on upright branch system.
Information kindly contributed by R.E. Norris but may now be outdated.
Taxonomic status: This name is currently regarded as a synonym of Vertebrata.
Gender: This genus name is currently treated as neuter.
Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Díaz-Tapia, P., Muñoz-Luque, L., Piñeiro-Corbeira, C. & Maggs, C.A. (2021). Phylogenetic analyses of Macaronesian turf-forming species reveal cryptic diversity and resolve Stichothamnion in the Vertebrata clade (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta). European Journal of Phycology 56(4): 444-454.
Comments: Only known in the Canary Islands, intertidal in strong surf, growing on Ralfsia. There seems to be no reason to separate Stichothamnion from Lophosiphonia in the present interpretation of the latter genus.
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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.
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Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 06 April 2022. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 19 April 2024
