Seaweeds of the South African South Coast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Order Ceramiales

Family Rhodomelaceae

Streblocladia Schmitz in Engler and Prantl

Plants filamentous, comprising prostrate and upright systems of axes, freely branched, without rigid distinction between determinate and indeterminate branches. Number of pericentral cells in genus 4-18. Prostrate axes with rhizoids developing from pericentral cells, usually in proximal position; apices of all axes similar in structure, sympodial, new axes developing on inside of branches but position shifted somewhat from truly adaxial. Axes sometimes spirally twisted. No vegetative trichoblasts present. Tetrasporangia single in each segment, in (usually) straight series in distal branch ends. Antheridial heads cylindrico-conical, in double row on adaxial side of branches, one per segment. Cystocarps with short stalks, adaxial near branch apices. Of the six species that are currently recognised worldwide (Guiry & Guiry 2017), two are found on the South African south coast: in addition we record an apparently undescribed species.

Key to the species

1a. Main axes to 10 cm tall, segments with 10-14 pericentral cells, some cortication in older parts, prostrate part limited or with single basal holdfast	S. corymbifera
1b. Main axes < 4 cm long, uncorticated, well-developed prostrate system	2
2a. Segments with 7-10 (usually 9) pericentral cells, thalli to a few cm tall	S. tenuissima
2b. Segments with 4 pericentral cells, thalli to 8mm tall	Streblocladia sp 1

 

References Streblocladia

Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 2017. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 08 May 2017.

 

Cite this record as:

Anderson RJ, Stegenga H, Bolton JJ. 2016. Seaweeds of the South African South Coast.
World Wide Web electronic publication, University of Cape Town, http://southafrseaweeds.uct.ac.za; Accessed on 26 April 2024.