Characterization of Centroceras gasparrinii (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta) known as Centroceras clavulatum in Korea

doi:2010.25.2.71

Algae > Volume 25(2); 2010 > Article

Algae 2010;25(2): 71-76. doi: https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2010.25.2.071

Boo Yeon Won

The Research Institute of Chosun Natural Science, Chosun University, Gwangju 501-759, Korea

ABSTRACT

Centroceras gasparrinii is characterized by 1) straight spines, 2) an ovoid gland cell, 3) tetrasporangia with involucral branchlets, and 4) ovoid cortical cells on the first and second cortical initials. A similar Centroceras species with dichotomous habit, “Centroceras clavulatum”, has been widely known as a common species of Korean marine flora. However, the species known as “C. clavulatum” in Korea is recognized as C. gasparrinii based on the molecular and morphological evidence. Newly generated sequences of rbcL gene reveal that all taxa of Centroceras from Korea having dichotomous branching pattern are C. gasparrinii. There is 0-0.07% sequence divergence among specimens of C. gasparrinii in Korea. “Centroceras clavulatum” is excluded from Korean flora and C. gasparrinii is included instead of “Centroceras clavulatum”. C. gasparrinii also differs from C. distichum in Korea in that it has tetrasporangia with involucral branchlets and dichotomous branching pattern, while C. distichum has immersed tetrasporangia and an alternate branching pattern.

Key words: Centroceras clavulatum; C. gasparrinii; Ceramiaceae; Rhodophyta; taxonomy