DOI : https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2014.29.3.177

Algae. 2014; 29(3): 177-181.

doi: https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2014.29.3.177

New distributional record for Pyropia koreana: confirmed to occur on the South Island, New Zealand

Wendy A. Nelson^1,2,*, Judith E. Sutherland², Mi Sook Hwang³ and Han-Gu Choi⁴

¹National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Private Bag 14-901, Wellington 6241, New Zealand ²School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92-019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand ³Seaweed Research Center, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Mokpo 530-831, Korea
⁴Division of Life Sciences, Korea
Polar Research Institute, KIOST, Incheon 406-840, Korea

An epiphytic bladed member of the Bangiales was found growing in Christchurch (South Island, New Zealand). Molecular sequence data and morphological comparisons revealed that the New Zealand specimens belong to the species Pyropia koreana (M. S. Hwang & I. K. Lee) M. S. Hwang, H. G. Choi, Y. S. Oh & I. K. Lee. This is the first record of Py. koreana in the southern hemisphere and a new record of an introduced species in New Zealand.

Keywords : Bangiales; introduced species; New Zealand; Pyropia koreana; southern hemisphere