Gracilarioid species (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) in southern Africa, with a description of Gracilariopsis funicularis sp. nov

• Published in: African journal of marine science Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 97 - 105
• Main Authors: Lyer, R, Bolton, J.J. (Cape Town Univ., Rondebosch (South Africa). Dept. of Botany), Coyne, V.E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2005
• Subjects: AFRIQUE DU SUD; Brackish; GRACILARIA; Gracilaria gracilis; GRACILARIACEAE; GRACILARIOID; GRACILARIOPSIS; Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis; Gracilariopsis longissima; Gracilariopsis tenuifrons; Marine; RHODOPHYCEAE; RHODOPHYTA; SOUTH AFRICA; SOUTHERN AFRICA; SUDAFRICA; TAXONOMIA; TAXONOMIE; TAXONOMY; PSW, South Africa, Western Cape, Saldanha Bay; PSW, Namibia, Luederitz Bay
• ISSN: 1814-232X; 1814-2338
• DOI: 10.2989/18142320509504071

Southern African gracilarioids have previously been assigned to Gracilaria gracilis and Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis. Recent molecular evidence indicates that at least three gracilarioid species, G. gracilis, Gracilariopsis longissima and an undescribed Gracilariopsis species occur in this region. The main economic species in Saldanha Bay on the south-west coast of South Africa and Lüderitz Bay (Namibia) is G. gracilis. It is possible that the population of Gs longissima in St Helena Bay (South Africa) is a recent introduction. Gracilariopsis funicularis sp. nov. has a disjunct distribution along the coast of central Namibia, and in a discrete estuarine location in South Africa. These plants display two morphotypes superficially resembling Gracilariopsis tenuifrons (in South Africa) and Gs longissima (in Namibia). It is postulated that Namibian populations of the novel Gracilariopsis species may have economic significance, particularly for aquaculture, being the only gracilarioids in southern Africa that are fertile on a regular basis.