Womersleyella Hollenberg, 1967

Holotype species: Womersleyella pacifica Hollenberg

Original publication and holotype designation: Hollenberg, G.J. (1967). New genera in the Rhodomelaceae from the Central Pacific. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 66: 201-221, 15 figs.

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Description: Chiefly prostrate algae, attached by multicellular rhizoids; pericentral cells 5, ecorticate; chromatophores arranged in transverse bands in the pericentral cells; prostrate branches without trichoblasts, but with undeveloped one-celled exogenous primordia, resembling scar-cells, arising one per segment in a one fifth spiral sequence; erect branches determinate, mostly unbranched, arising from dorsal primordia, mostly every fifth segment, bearing abaxially one to several, relatively huge trichoblasts; tetrasporangia one per segment in short spiral series; cystocarps and spermatangial stichidia subterminal on the erect branches.

Thallus with indeterminate prostrate axes bearing erect determinate branches, these arising randomly or occasionally in pairs separated by a few segments. Structure with 4 or 5 pericentral cells, ecorticate. Emergent or dormant trichoblasts developing 1 per segment in a spiral pattern; in prostrate axes often remaining dormant for some time before producing some dorsal determinate branches; trichoblasts in determinate branches emergent. Prostrate axes attached by rhizoids cut off from the ventral pericentral cell, these unicellular except for their multicellular tips. Spermatangial heads replacing trichoblasts, with sterile tips. Cystocarps ovoid to urceolate, with an ostiole. Tetrasporangia 1 per segment in spiral series. Cystocarps and spermatangial heads near distal ends of branches.

Information contributed by: Original description and Huisman (2018). The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2022-12-20 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.

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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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in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=42662

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 20 December 2022. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 28 March 2024

 
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