Rhodoptilum (J.Agardh) Kylin, 1956

Holotype species: Rhodoptilum plumosum (Harvey & Bailey) Kylin

Currently accepted name for the type species: Dasya plumosa Harvey & Bailey

Original publication and holotype designation: Kylin, H. (1956). Die Gattungen der Rhodophyceen. pp. i-xv, 1-673, 458 figs. Lund: C.W.K. Gleerups.

Description: Thallus erect, sympodially developed and bilaterally organized, distichously and irregularly branched, short and long branches interspersed. Main and secondary indeterminate axes distinctly flattened and marginally producing determinate pseudolateral branch systems from each polysiphonous segment. Pseudolaterals pigmented, monosiphonous throughout, simple to dichotomously branched, often deciduous on major axes. Axial cells surrounded by 5 periaxials which are quickly corticated by short descending rhizoidal filaments, collectively forming a thick cortex. Dioecious, spermatangia formed in several successive whorled series on monosiphonous stalks of pseudolaterals, overall forming organized conical to linear-lanceolate stichidia, often with sterile tips. Procarps formed on periaxial cells directly, one per node, replacing pseudolaterals. Procarps consist of a 4-celled carpogonial branch and 2 sterile groups of cells borne on the supporting cell. After fertilization, monopodial gonimoblast filaments with terminal, then lateral carposporangia singly or in short chains, form from a fusion cell complex including the auxiliary cell. Carposporophytes terminal on short indeterminate branches, surrounded by large, corticated pericarps with prominent necks. Four to six tetrahedral sporangia produced in successive whorls, forming linear-lanceolate stichidia on lower portions of pseudolaterals or replacing them. Tetrasporangia only partially enclosed by cover cells at maturity .

Information kindly contributed by C.W. Schneider but may now be outdated.

Taxonomic status: This name is currently regarded as a synonym of Dasya.

Gender: This genus name is currently treated as neuter.

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: Subtidal from the Pacific coast of North America and Japan.

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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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in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=40463

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 08 December 2023. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 19 April 2024