Abstract

RULL LLUCH, Jordi. Morphological and anatomical study of the reflexed species of the genus Gastroclonium Kützing (Rhodophyceae). Hidrobiológica [online]. 2004, vol.14, n.2, pp.145-155. ISSN 0188-8897.

Eleven species are currently recognised in the genus Gastroclonium, most of them showing an erect habit. Only five of these species, G. reflexum, G. cylindricum, G. trichodes, G. pacificum and G. compressum include specimens which show a reflex habit. This study offers a morphological and anatomical comparison of these species using herbarium specimens. Gastroclonium reflexum, G. cylindricum, G. trichodes and G. compressum comprise only reflex specimens and they are morphologically very alike. In contrast, G. pacificum shows both erect and reflex specimens. The erect specimens are similar to G. subarticulatum while reflex ones are more similar to the other four species. Anatomically, G. reflexum, G. cylindricum, G. trichodes and the reflex specimens of G. pacificum constitute a very homogeneous group, while G. compressum differs from these species by showing the branches walls composed of a single layer of cells. This comparative study has revealed that G. trichodes and G. cylindricum must be considered synonymous of G. reflexum.

Keywords : Marine algae; Rhodophyceae; Gastroclonium; taxonomy; distribution.

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