Ophidocladus Falkenberg, 1897

Holotype species: Ophidocladus simpliciusculus (P.Crouan & H.Crouan) 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: Thallus comprised of prostrate and erect polysiphonous branch systems. Prostrate system dorsiventral, attached by unicellular rhizoids; apices curved ventrally. Pericentrals 10-25 in both erect and prostrate systems, without cortication. Trichoblasts formed only on erect system in a 1/2 divergence on sequential segments resulting in distichous arrangement; dichotomously branched, colorless and deciduous. All other branches formed endogenously. Erect branches from dorsal position on prostrate branch, at more or less regular intervals of every 3-6 segments, distally curved in young stage, radially organized. Branches of prostrate system often produced in pairs, one remaining dormant, between successive erect branches. Polysiphonous branches of erect system also endogenously formed; from segment bearing a trichoblast or from segment immediately proximal to a trichoblast. Adventitious branches may develop on mature parts of thalli. Reproductive structures on distal segments of erect branches. Spermatangial capitula proximal on branched trichoblasts, broadly globose to cylindrical, borne on polysiphonous stalks but with monosiphonous sterile filamentous tips. Procarps usually on 3rd segment of trichoblast that is proximally polysiphonous, comprised of 4-celled carpogonial branch and 2 sterile cells on supporting cell. Cystocarps spheroidal to ovoid, almost sessile. Tetrasporangia 2 per segment, in a straight series.

Information contributed by: R.E. Norris. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2017-07-18 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 masculine.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Díaz-Tapia, P., Maggs, C.A., West, J.A. & Verbruggen, H. (2017). Analysis of chloroplast genomes and a supermatrix inform reclassification of the Rhodomelaceae (Rhodophyta). Journal of Phycology 53(5): 920-937, 2 figs.

Comments: On sub-tropical to warm-temperate coasts of eastern and western Atlantic, California, Western Australia and southeastern Africa.

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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=38091

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 18 July 2017. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 20 April 2024