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Presents a response to the comments on the article devoted to carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy of red algal galactans, by Anatoli I. Usov, published in previous issue.

Presents a letter to the editor in response to an article devoted to carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of red algal galactans, by Ian J. Miller published in previous issue.

Vaginatispora acrostichi sp. nov. was isolated from submerged stems of Acrostichum aureum (Pteridaceae) collected from the mangrove habitats of Pranburi District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combined dataset of LSU, SSU, ITS, tef1-α, rpb2, and β-tub sequences placed the novel species within Vaginatispora. Vaginatispora acrostichi formed a well-supported sister clade with V. lignicola but differs from it morphologically and phylogenetically. Vaginatispora acrostichi is distinguishable from V. lignicola by ascospore size, septation and colour. The ascospores of V. acrostichi turn light brown at maturity and have a single septum with a minute constriction, while those of V. lignicola appear yellowish at maturity and have 1–3 septa with pronounced constriction. Vaginatispora acrostichi is introduced in this paper as a novel species with a comprehensive description and illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Ulva Linnaeus 1753 is well known for its global distribution and containing many taxonomically debated species. Their morphological plasticity and cryptic nature overrepresent and underrepresent, respectively, the biodiversity of these species. The difficulty in morphologically identifying Ulva species has led to the accumulation of many species names that are currently considered synonyms. The correct identification of these species is crucial due to their significant role in marine ecosystems and mariculture. In the last 30 years, several checklists and taxonomic contributions have been made from the Italian coast on Ulva species, almost entirely based on morphological studies and only a few papers with molecular data have been published. In this study, samples deposited at the Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR) and Phycological Lab (PHL) herbaria have been reviewed by sequencing the chloroplast-encoded elongation factor Tu (tufA) barcode marker. The results obtained provide an update of the DNA barcode inventory of Ulva species for the Lagoon of Venice and the Strait of Messina, two ecosystems characterized by a high algal biogeographical diversity and continuous introduction due to anthropogenic activities. Here, ten Ulva species were identified based on molecular data. Furthermore, we record the presence of Ulva chaugulei on the coast of Tunisia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: marine algae; marine flora; Mediterranean Sea; Turkey EN marine algae marine flora Mediterranean Sea Turkey 231 241 11 08/09/22 20220801 NES 220801 1 Introduction Turkey is washed by four seas of different oceanographic character (i.e., sea surface salinities in the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea, and on the coasts of the Aegean and the Levantine are 14-18, 20-24, and 35-38, respectively, and the corresponding temperatures are 8-11 °C, 10-12 °C, and 13-18 °C). Marine algae, marine flora, Mediterranean Sea, Turkey Taxonomy and distribution of Fucales (Phaeophyta) members on Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey. Graph: Figure 3: (a) Total taxa of marine macroalgae and (b) the relative contribution of different orders on the Aegean and the Levantine coasts of Turkey. The purpose of this paper is to present a current review of benthic marine algal species reported from the Aegean and Levantine coasts of Turkey, and also to report the occurrence of the marine red alga I Palisada maris-rubri i for the first time from the eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. [Extracted from the article]

There is growing interest in carbon stocks and flows in seagrass ecosystems, but recent global reviews suggest a paucity of studies from Africa. This paper reviews work on seagrass productivity, biomass and sediment carbon in Africa. Most work was conducted in East Africa with a major geographical gap in West Africa. The mean above-ground, below-ground and total biomasses from all studies were 174.4, 474.6 and 514 g DW m-2, respectively with a global range of 461-738 g DW m-2. Mean annual production rate was 913 g DW m-2 year-1 (global range 816-1012 g DW m-2 year-1). No studies were found giving sediment organic carbon, demonstrating a major gap in seagrass blue carbon work. Given the small numbers of relevant papers and the large geographical areas left undescribed in Africa, any conclusions remain tentative and much remains to be done on seagrass studies in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine oomycetous species produce, among other fatty acids, omega-6 arachidonic acid (ARA) and omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), with implications for the industrial potential of this group of organisms and the need to find an isolate with high production. This study screened 14 isolates of marine oomycetous species: Halophytophthora avicenniae, H. batemanensis, H. exoprolifera, H. polymorphica and Salispina spinosa cultured from fallen mangrove leaves in Taiwan for 24 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in their mycelia. This paper is the first to report C18:1n-7 vaccenic acid, C20:1 eicosenoic acid, C24:1 nervonic acid, C20:2n-6 eicosadienoic acid, C22:4n-6 adrenic acid, C20:4n-3 eicosatetraenoic acid and C22:5n-3 docosapentaenoic acid in mycelia of Halophytophthora and Salispina species, and the fatty acid profiles of H. batemanensis and H. exoprolifera. Five fatty acids were dominant in the mycelia of the isolates, i.e. C16:0 palmitic acid, C18:1n-9 oleic acid, C18:2n-6 linoleic acid, C20:4n-6 arachidonic acid and C20:5n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid. For the essential fatty acids, S. spinosa produced the highest level of arachidonic acid (27–31% of total fatty acid (TFA), 141–188 mg l−1 yield) while H. avicenniae IMB212 produced the highest percentage of EPA (15% of TFA) while H. polymorphica IMB227 produced the highest yield (96 mg l−1). Different species and isolates of the same species produced different fatty acid profiles, and further research effort may yield a high production isolate of industrial significance and also important fatty acids from the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The finding of the enigmatic pathogen Anisolpidium rosenvingei in the filamentous brown macroalga Pylaiella littoralis presented a unique opportunity to histochemically study the distribution of chitin in this little-known pathogen using FUNGALASE™-F, a fluorescein-labelled chitinase. Chitin was found localised to the exit tube of this pathogen, which infects exclusively reproductive cells of its host. The cytological and phylogenetic implications of this finding are discussed. This paper also reports the first record of this pathogen in the United Kingdom, on the west coast of Scotland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graph: Photo courtesy of https://botany.ubc.ca/people/robert-dewreede This special issue of Botanica Marina, with the theme "Changes in Marine Botanical Biodiversity and Ecology under Global Climate Change", is dedicated to Prof. Robert E. DeWreede on the occasion of his 80th birthday, January 24, 2021. Understanding biomechanics as a determinant of dynamics and life history stage abundance of algae is another long-time passion of Rob's. In his early career, Rob worked with his PhD supervisor Prof. Maxwell Doty of the University of Hawaii to establish pilot farms for the red alga I Eucheuma i in the Philippines and the Confederated States of Micronesia. Seaweed life history dynamics is another area of algal research in Rob's lab. [Extracted from the article]

This article is a personal impression of the key scientists who contributed to the study of marine mycology over past 174 years, especially those the author met during his career studying this unique group of fungi. Marine mycology has been a journey of discovery from a few species to nearly 2000 taxa in nine fungal phyla. Techniques for their study have advanced from morphological observations, to the use of scanning and transmission electron microscopy, to the development of high-throughput sequencing technology and the unravelling of the genomes of selected species. Thoughts on the conservation of marine fungi, their adaptation to climate change and potential role in the decomposition of plastics are briefly considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional kelp farming methods require a high amount of labor and are limited in geographic distribution – occurring mainly in nearshore, sheltered sites. To address growing global demand for sustainable biomass, the continued expansion of kelp cultivation will most likely have to move further offshore. Although many offshore cultivation trials have been done over the last 50 years, few were sufficiently robust to be viable in exposed and deep-water areas. In the North Atlantic Ocean, a Faroese company developed and tested a structural farm design that has survived in open-ocean conditions since 2010. The durable structure has withstood harsh weather events common in the Faroe Islands and thereby presents a potential strategy and method for moving kelp farming further offshore. This paper describes the primary challenges of offshore kelp farming and provides an overview of work previously done. Ultimately, the improved productivity, system survivability and scalability the MacroAlgal Cultivation Rig (Faroe Islands) and the BioArchitecture Lab cultivation grid (Chile) represent state-of-the-art and powerfully transformative strategies to pursue large-scale offshore farming to support mass production of kelp in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper documents six new saprobic marine fungi and one new genus based on morphology and multi-gene phylogenies. Three Dothideomycetes, and members of the Pleosporales, are introduced: Pseudomassariosphaeria triseptata sp. nov. was recognized as a mangrove species in Amniculicolaceae, and Salsuginea phoenicis sp. nov. was discovered as a second member of Salsugineaceae. A new genus Raghukumaria with Raghukumaria keshaphalae sp. nov., recovered from mangroves, is phylogenetically sister to Halomassarina and nests in the Trematosphaeriaceae. Three new species are referred to the Sordariomycetes: Coniochaeta marina (Coniochaetales, Coniochaetaceae) on driftwood; Fusicolla bharatavarshae (Hypocreales, Nectriaceae) is introduced with asexual and sexual morphs, on decayed mangrove wood of Avicennia marina; and Fusarium sedimenticola (Hypocreales, Nectriaceae) is new to the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) from deep-sea sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seaweed resources play an increasingly important role in European Blue Growth and Bioeconomy strategies and European production is anticipated to increase dramatically with the continued up-swing of global market interests in seaweed resources. As a consequence, there is a need to ensure the environmental sustainability of future aquaculture activities, as reported in the PEGASUS white paper. The present article summarizes the published PEGASUS guidelines developed in the framework of the COST Action Phycomorph, for the future development of this sector. This includes the advances made in this important arena of applied phycology taking into account scientific, technical, environmental, legal and socioeconomic dimensions. Challenges, bottlenecks and risks are identified and presented with a special focus on production issues regarding productivity, breeding, choice of appropriate cultivars, disease and pests and also the risk of using non-indigenous and invasive species as candidates for cultivation. The barriers for long-term, sustainable exploitation are also examined including harmony with the European "Nutrition and Health Regulations" necessary in order to ensure food safety. The PEGASUS guidelines provide scientific recommendations required to address the above issues and to provide science-based advice to policymakers, managers and industries for the sustainable development of industrial-scale seaweed aquaculture in Europe and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parts of the macroalgal flora of the eastern Mediterranean remain incompletely known. This applies in particular to the circalittoral communities. This study, based upon 2 cruises in the Ionian and Aegean Seas, surveyed benthic communities from 40 to 150 m depth by remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) with a special focus on detecting communities of the Mediterranean deep-water kelp Laminaria rodriguezii. These were complemented by shallow-water surveys on adjacent coastlines by snorkelling and scuba diving. While no kelp could be detected at any of the sites surveyed, ROV surveys of northern Euboia Island revealed the first east Mediterranean record of Sebdenia monnardiana (Sebdeniales, Rhodophyta). Snorkelling surveys on the coast of southeast Kefalonia yielded the first record of the alien alga Dictyota cyanoloma in Greece. This paper reports rbcL and SSU sequences for Sebdenia monnardiana, and COI for Dictyota cyanoloma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, Dictyota hauckiana is reported for the first time from Vietnam. It was found growing with other marine macroalgae nearshore, at 1–2 m depth in Ninh Hai waters, Ninh Thuan province. Morphological observations and phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated rbcL and psbA are presented. There are now 13 species of Dictyota known from Vietnamese waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper presents information on the production status of economically important seaweed species in the Philippines, new culture technologies for Halymenia durvillei and also an examination of the present but limited use of Sargassum. The country recorded its highest production volume of seaweeds (mainly eucheumatoids) in 2011 amounting to 1,840,832 metric tons (fresh weight). In the subsequent years, the Philippines recorded a steady decline in production which can be attributed to epiphytism, loss of genetic diversity due to the culture methods used (i.e. vegetative propagation), political unrest in the main farming areas of the Southern Philippines, and the frequent occurrence of typhoons. The more than 200,000 ha of farmable areas along available coastlines remain to be tapped and evaluated in order to determine which areas are suitable for seaweed farming. The haphazard harvesting of Sargassum led to the proclamation of Fisheries Order No. 250 which prohibits harvesting of Sargassum. Exploitation of Gelidiela acerosa remains a concern as there is no currently available culture technology for the species. The lack of comprehensive records on Philippine seaweed production needs to be addressed and its diverse algal resources remain to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a recently discovered population of Caulerpa prolifera in the Azores (NE Atlantic), which becomes the westernmost record of this species in European waters. Morphological, anatomical and molecular characters were investigated for species recognition. The occurrence of the species in the Azores represents a northern expansion of its distributional range, covering now the whole Macaronesia region. It may have been brought by rafting from the western Atlantic through the Gulf Stream, but human-assisted transport may also have been involved in its arrival or dispersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fucus vesiculosus is common both on the tidal coasts of the North Atlantic and in the Baltic Sea, where it has adapted to low salinity and nontidal conditions over the last 7000 years. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, extensive declines of F. vesiculosus populations were reported in the Baltic Proper, mainly attributed to high nutrient loads. During the past 30–40 years, considerable efforts have been made to reduce nutrient runoff to coastal areas but few successful initiatives to restore F. vesiculosus populations have been performed. In this paper, we present how substratum manipulation, i.e. clean rocky surfaces, brushing rocks, Hildenbrandia rubra cover and different filamentous algae, as well as different algal exudates, affect the recruitment and survival of juvenile F. vesiculosus. Further, we show through a 5-year field experiment that it will take at least 4–5 years to reach reproductive age for F. vesiculosus in the Baltic Sea. We also present transplantation studies from two different areas, showing that epiphytic load, light, grazing and type of substratum are some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration in order to achieve successful restoration of F. vesiculosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No abstract available [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel species of Morosphaeria, Morosphaeria muthupetensis, saprobic on intertidal mangrove wood of Rhizophora mucronata from Muthupet mangroves on Kaveri River Delta, Tamil Nadu along the East coast of India, is described in this paper. Morosphaeria muthupetensis is characterized by large sub-globose to lenticular ascomata; long cylindrical to clavate, short pedicellate asci; small, fusiform to ellipsoidal ascospores with acute ends when compared to other Morosphaeria species. A multigene phylogeny obtained from a combined nuclear large subunit, small subunit, internal transcribed spacers rDNA and translation elongation factor 1-alpha sequence analysis revealed that M. muthupetensis is phylogenetically distinct and nested in between Morosphaeria velatispora and Morosphaeria ramunculicola and all these species constitute a strongly supported monophyletic clade sister to the genus Helicascus. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of M. muthupetensis are presented and compared with other Morosphaeria species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is written in honour of the influential career of Professor T.J. Smayda. It celebrates the brief, but productive, period in which we collaborated on the formulation of the principles and mechanisms of community assembly in plankton. The topics considered then provide the structure of the present paper - the origin of communities (nascence), the common and differential requirements of phytoplankton species that might affect their selection, the general and specialist adaptive traits that differentiate their performances and their relative successes, and the sensitivity of performances to sub-ideal or hostile environmental conditions. In all these instances, it is the reactivity of the net dynamic responses of the species present to imposed environmental variations that shapes the structure of the assemblage and the composition of the community. These are the high-level properties that emerge from the behaviour of low-level components. The patterns that emerge at the community level - selection by performance or competition, dominance and temporal succession - are qualitatively predictable and, at the assemblage level, are amenable to quantitative modelling. In turn, it is theoretically possible to make deductions about the likelihood of biological events that involve species occurring in abundances sufficient to affect water quality and/or constitute risks to human health (harmful algal blooms). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-nine fungal isolates collected from tropical and subtropical mangrove/marine habitats were screened for the presence of lignocellulose-degrading enzyme activities in agar media. These fungi were ascomycetes, except for a basidiomycete, Calathella mangrovei, and a mitosporic fungus, Cirrenalia tropicalis. Endoglucanase and xylanase were the most common enzymes produced. However, none of the fungi exhibited an ability to decolourise Poly-R-478 dye, indicating the lack of ligninolytic peroxidases. Three groups of fungi were categorised according to their cellulolytic, xylanolytic, and ligninolytic enzymes. Group I contained 21 isolates (ca. 72% of the test fungi) able to produce the three enzymes: endoglucanase, xylanase and laccase. Group II comprised 2 isolates lacking the ability to utilise filter paper and/or xylan, whereas Group III consisted of 6 isolates (ca. 21%) with no laccase activity. Five laccase-producing isolates selected for growth on artificial seawater (ASW) agar supplemented with 2,2′-azino- bis-3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), a substrate for this enzyme, exhibited no laccase activity. Further testing in ASW liquid medium with Hypoxylon species B and Halorosellinia oceanica showed that laccase activity was detectable from culture supernatants that had been dialysed against distilled water. Therefore, care is required in assessing laccase activity when using an agar plate assay in the presence of ASW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomic uncertainty still exists in the Rhodophyta, and more suitable molecular markers for their phylogeny are required to establish conclusively their taxonomic relationship. In this paper, we describe sequencing, characterisation of partial nucleotide sequence of the TOP2 and phylogenetic analysis of the Top2, which is translated fromthe TOP2 in Porphyra yezoensis. The length of the partial nucleotide sequence of TOP2 was 1,208 bp and the predicted amino acid sequence was 402 amino acids. The present sequences matched to known TOP2 or Top2 sequences in the public databases and consensus sequences for the motifs [Top2 signature, ATP/GTP- binding site motif A (P-loop), etc.] are indicated in the amino acid sequences. In our phylogenetic trees, the Rhodophyta occupied an independent position within the crown eukaryotes. Thus, we can advocate that we succeeded in the determination of TOP2 andTop2 sequencesofP. yezoensis and Top2 may be a promising marker for phylogenetic analysis of the Rhodophyta. This is the first report to deal with Top2 from the Rhodophyta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides time series data (1990–1996) on the distribution of dinoflagellates of the genus Dinophysis in NW Adriatic waters. The aims of this paper are: 1) to describe seasonal patterns of the main species of Dinophysis; 2) to determine oceanographic conditions triggering or preventing their growth. The most abundant species were first D. sacculus Stein, followed by D. rotundata Claparède et Lachmann in spring and summer, and D. caudata Saville­Kent and D. fortii Pavillard in summer and autumn. Relationships between Dinophysis abundances and temperature, salinity and wind speed indicate these parameters as the main factors forcing the spatial and temporal distribution of the species. Thus, stratification and low turbulence induced by hydrodynamic calm are favourable conditions for Dinophysis growth and, consequently, for the risk of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) in Adriatic coastal waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper documents five new saprobic marine fungi occurring on various substrata in the marine environment. Bacusphaeria nypae gen. et sp. nov. was discovered on bases of fronds of Nypa fruticans in Malaysia and phylogenetically, it belongs to the Tirisporellaceae (Tirisporellales, Diaporthomycetidae, Sordariomycetes) based on 18S and 28S rDNA. Cryptovalsa avicenniae, Ceriosporopsis minuta and Jattaea mucronata also belong to the Sordariomycetes; Cr. avicenniae was saprobic on Avicennia marina collected in Saudi Arabia, J. mucronata on intertidal decaying bark of Rhizophora mucronata while Ce. minuta was found on driftwood collected on a sandy beach in Japan. Phylogeny based on 18S and 28S rDNA placed Cr. avicenniae with other Cryptovalsa species in the Diatrypaceae. Jattaea mucronata groups well in the Calosphaeriales and is closely related to J. algeriensis based on a phylogeny using ITS and 28S rRNA and RPB2 genes. Aegeanispora elanii gen. et sp. nov. is an asexual fungus which produces pycnidia on decaying driftwood collected in the Aegean Sea. Combined 18S and 28S rDNA phylogenetic analyses suggest that it is a member of the Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes. Ceriosporopsis minuta resembles C. capillacea with its tubular, long polar appendages of ascospores but dimensions of ascomata and ascospores for the former species are considerably smaller. Ceriosporopsis is considered the best genus to accommodate C. minuta without support from sequence data. Sammeyersia is established as a new genus to accommodate Lulworthia grandispora, a species unrelated to Lulworthia fucicola, the type species. The diagnostic characteristic for the genus is a melanized region at the base of the neck of the ascomata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of life cycle progression and reproduction of seaweeds transcends pure academic interest. Successful and sustainable seaweed exploitation and domestication will indeed require excellent control of the factors controlling growth and reproduction. The relative dominance of the ploidy-phases and their respective morphologies, however, display tremendous diversity. Consequently, the ecological and endogenous factors controlling life cycles are likely to be equally varied. A vast number of research papers addressing theoretical, ecological and physiological aspects of reproduction have been published over the years. Here, we review the current knowledge on reproductive strategies, trade-offs of reproductive effort in natural populations, and the environmental and endogenous factors controlling reproduction. Given that the majority of ecophysiological studies predate the "-omics" era, we examine the extent to which this knowledge of reproduction has been, or can be, applied to further our knowledge of life cycle control in seaweeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Hypnea has been known in New Zealand for a long time but identification to species level has been difficult as only fragmentary and sterile material has been available for study and thus the genus has remained poorly known. Recently large amounts of Hypnea were collected in northern New Zealand enabling DNA sequencing and the presence of two species was confirmed: Hypnea flexicaulis which represents a new record for New Zealand, and Hypnea cornuta which was previously known from fragmentary material. Both of these species are regarded as introduced in other regions of the world. The new species described in this paper as Calliblepharis psammophilus was identified in the field as a species of Hypnea but morphological observations and molecular data confirmed it does not belong to this genus. It is characterized by caespitose thalli with irregularly branched terete axes and with tapering or curved tips, the axial cell enclosed by 5-7 pericentral cells, cortical cells packed tightly and not forming 'rosettes' in surface view. The gonimoblast filaments originate from a fusion cell and develop outwardly in chains. This species is currently known from a single location in the North Island (south eastern coast), New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides the first comprehensive checklist of the seaweeds of Cyprus, based on both literature records and new collections. The total number of species and infraspecific taxa currently accepted is 313, including 53 green algae (Ulvophyceae), 90 brown algae (Phaeophyceae), and 170 red algae (Rhodophyta). Among them, 30 taxa are reported for the first time from Cyprus: 7 green algae, 9 brown algae, and 14 red algae, while 9 taxa are regarded as aliens. In addition, 10 taxa pending confirmation of their presence, 3 excludenda, and 3 inquirenda are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the morphology of two new species of Mastogloia identified during a survey of the marine benthic diatom flora of Guam. Mastogloia parlibellioides sp. nov., classified in the section Decussatae, is distinctive in the combination of its valve shape and stria pattern reminiscent of Parlibellus, as well as the presence of rudimentary division walls extending from the free margin to the middle of each partectum. Mastogloia lyra sp. nov., classified in the section Sulcatae, subgroup 2, has internal lyre-shaped lateral sterna and partecta that are displaced toward the midline of the valve by a siliceous flange, which shows oblique partectal ducts. The descriptions of these two new species increase the knowledge base of biodiversity in a Pacific Ocean Mastogloia hotspot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a rich seaweed flora, information about Vietnamese seaweeds is scattered throughout a large number of often regional publications and, hence, difficult to access. This paper presents an up-to-date checklist of the marine macroalgae of Vietnam, compiled by means of an exhaustive bibliographical search and revision of taxon names. A total of 827 species are reported, of which the Rhodophyta show the highest species number (412 species), followed by the Chlorophyta (180 species), Phaeophyceae (147 species) and Cyanobacteria (88 species). This species richness is comparable to that of the Philippines and considerably higher than Taiwan, Thailand or Malaysia, which indicates that Vietnam possibly represents a diversity hotspot for macroalgae. A comparison of the species composition with neighbouring countries yielded surprisingly low similarities. Rather than an indication of a biogeographical pattern, we are of the opinion that the low similarity with neighbouring countries is primarily an artifact resulting from taxonomic inconsistencies. The checklist presented here could serve as a valuable tool to reveal the seaweed diversity in Vietnam and to stimulate intraregional comparative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, three dictyotalean brown algae ( Dictyopteris lucida, Dictyota cyanoloma, and Padina pavonicoides) are reported for the first time from Turkey. D. cyanoloma and P. pavonicoides are also reported for the first time from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The species were collected in the sublittoral zone near İzmir (Aegean coast of Turkey). The data concerning the habitat and morphology of these species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chile, located in the southeastern Pacific, possess a high richness of seaweed species, some of which have been traditionally extracted from natural beds for the production of hydrocolloids (e.g. agar, carrageenan and alginates), but still a high proportion of the biomass is being exported as dried material to processors in Asia and Europe. During the period 2006–2016, this tendency has been maintained, but has also started to show signs of changing towards a more sustainable, localized seaweed industry as new actions by the Chilean government provided subsidies to seaweed farming activities and also to investments in local valorization of the resources. This "sea change" has been further supported by an increase in the number of localized scientific and technical studies related to Chilean seaweed resources which has prepared the foundation required in order to move to more advanced stages of local seaweed farming and development of local processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apoglossum gregarium, a minute deep-water red alga considered an alien in the Mediterranean Sea, was previously known only from the western basin. The present paper reports A. gregarium for the first time off Greece, in the eastern Mediterranean basin. It was found on artificial substrata at 50 m depth in the southeastern Ionian Sea. The Greek specimens were identical to previous Mediterranean descriptions. Moreover, the Greek habitat is the deepest ever recorded for the species. Associated flora as well as biogeographical data are also provided. Based on its worldwide distribution, the possibility that A. gregarium is native to the Mediterranean Sea should not be ruled out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I surveyed marine fungi collected from the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. A total of 31 taxa, including 19 ascomycetes and 12 anamorphic fungi, were identified from 100 submerged driftwood samples collected randomly along two sandy beaches. The most frequent fungus was Corollospora maritima. Other common fungi include C. portsaidica, Leptosphaeria oraemaris, Cumulospora marina and Periconia prolifica. Among the 31 taxa identified during this study, 21 are new records for the Mediterranean Sea, bringing the total number of Mediterranean marine fungi to 79. Seven new fungi were recorded during the course of this study, of which two new species of Corollospora and one anamorph have been described, and work is in progress to describe the remaining four. An unknown species of Didymosphaeria is illustrated in this paper, but not formally described because there was insufficient material available for further study of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is confusion about the identity of laminar Ulva thalli in Italian and Mediterranean transitional systems and on the open coasts. Although some authors report the presence of both U. rigida and U. laetevirens, systematic revisions for the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas recognise only the presence of U. laetevirens. This paper uses anatomical and environmental analyses to provide evidence for the presence of both species. The only diagnostic character that distinguishes the two is cell shape in cross section of rhizoidal and basal regions. Therefore, identification of floating thalli in these regions is not possible. The species grow and coexist in the same environments and on the same substrata, but analysis of environmental data suggests that U. rigida occurs preferentially in eutrophic environments, especially lagoon areas rich in phosphate, ammonium and phytoplankton, whereas U. laetevirens is more abundant in areas where nutrient levels are low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the composition, biogeography and zonation of benthic algae in Arctic and Antarctic polar regions. There is a marked contrast in the literature between the amount of information on microalgae vs. macroalgae. Perhaps not surprising in view of their size and conspicuous nature, the macroalgae are better known than the microalgae and they have been studied more intensively. Macroalgal biodiversity is greater in Antarctica than in the Arctic, as is the number of endemic species. Both these characteristics of the Antarctic marine macroalgal flora can be explained by the biogeographical histories of the regions. In contrast, endemism amongst Arctic and Antarctic benthic microalgae is generally considered to be low; however, there is very little evidence to support this and further molecular research is needed to document and clarify the biodiversity of marine benthic microalgae of both polar regions. The zonation or local distribution of polar macroalgae and microalgae is influenced by physiological, morphological, chemical and ecological characteristics that determine responses to a range of environmental factors, including the ability to resist and survive algal grazing. Typically, the lower depth distribution limit elevates with increasing latitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the absence of type specimens, a lectotype of Antithamnion nipponicum is selected here from the original illustrations of the protologue. The lectotype is in agreement with the original description and shows characters that allow unequivocal identification with an undated Yamada specimen from a syntype locality. The latter specimen is selected here as epitype. It is concluded that Antithamnion nipponicum is a heterotypic synonym of Antithamnion pectinatum, and that the correct name of the species currently passing under the name A. nipponicum should be Antithamnion hubbsii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growths were found on the surface of Catenella nipae at Patonga, New South Wales, Australia. Morphologically similar growths on C. impudica from Indonesia have been reported as the red algal parasite Catenellocolax leeuwenii. The internal anatomy of the Australian growths showed that they all contained septate fungal hyphae. The hyphae formed spherical clusters that, in larger galls, produced inwardly directed hyphae terminating in spores. It is proposed in this paper that these galls are caused by fungal infection, as is the case in other algae. The lack of sexual structures precludes identification of this fungus to any definite species, although it is probably an ascomycete. Inspection of the type material of C. leeuwenii did not reveal any parasites. The limited description of the parasite of C. impudica, the proposed growths induced by fungi in C. nipae, and the lack of holotype specimens, warrants treating the generic name Catenellocolax with caution until more collections from the type locality can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tracking macroalgal invasions relies on a variety of approaches and techniques, including random sampling, active tracking near sources of introduction, and identification of alien species and their vectors of introduction using both classical means (based on taxonomical and biogeographical knowledge) and molecular tools. To identify the invaded ecosystems, and to describe the rate of spread and invasion dynamics, other approaches must be used, including mapping techniques and public awareness campaigns. In these endeavours, standardisation of geographical and density data is important. The tracking of alien species before eradication or control measures are instigated requires special cartographic techniques. This paper provides a general overview of these different approaches and the specific strategies adapted to the biological and ecological characteristics of particular species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the mechanisms that facilitate or inhibit invasion of exotic seaweeds is crucial in assessing the threat posed by their incursion and to define control options. In this paper, we consider how life history characteristics of the invading species and properties of the recipient environment influence the likelihood of invasion, giving particular emphasis to how disturbance influences the establishment, spread and persistence of introduced seaweed populations. Very few commonalities in key life history traits emerge since each species possesses a unique set of traits that confers a high capacity for invasiveness. Consequently, for seaweeds at least, predictions of invasibility based on life history characters alone are unlikely to be useful. In contrast, it is clear that disturbance is an important process in the establishment of these invasive species. With the possible exception of Caulerpa taxifolia, disturbance appears to be a critical factor that is either a key requirement (e.g., Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides, Sargassum muticum and Undaria pinnatifida), or which accelerates (e.g., Fucus serratus) establishment and spread. The role of disturbance in the persistence of the invaders is more complex and depends on the species concerned. In several cases there is substantial evidence for positive feedback mechanisms that enable introduced species to persist in the absence of the disturbance factor that facilitated establishment in the first place. These circumstances define examples of ecological hystereses that pose particular challenges for management and control. The evidence suggests that, in several cases, preventing anthropogenically mediated disturbance to canopies of native seaweeds should be considered as a potential control option to minimise the risk of establishment of exotic species at high densities. However, for these kinds of introduced species, once they are established, control options that primarily target the disturbance are unlikely to represent viable management options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classification of the red algae (Rhodoplantae) has undergone significant change since the seminal work of Harald Kylin, “ Die Gattungen der Rhodophyceen,” a half century ago. The number of genera has nearly doubled over this time period, at least in part due to recent molecular comparative work. Information gleaned from gene-sequencing analyses has resulted in a red algal classification that reflects a more accurate phylogenetic framework than that based solely on morphological data. This paper tabulates the known 834 genera of red algae today with taxonomic synonyms and literature references reflecting the great change over fifty years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various reports published within the issue including one on bioactive compounds and another on fungal endophytes.

Despite numerous recent studies on the Gelidiales, most taxa belonging to this order are still difficult to distinguish when in the vegetative or tetrasporic state. This paper describes in detail the morphological and ontogenetic features of the prostrate system of the order with the aim of validating its diagnostic and taxonomic significance. Observations were made on fresh, liquid preserved and cultured thalli. The morphology of the attachment system and the characteristics of rhizoid ontogeny have proven to be useful diagnostic and taxonomic characters. Species belonging to Gelidium, Pterocladia and Pterocladiella bear true attachment organs consisting of cells of both exogenous and endogenous origin. In the family Gelidiellaceae, in contrast, attachment to the substratum is effected by single independent exogenous rhizoids. The attachment rhizoids of the Gelidiales, both exogenous and endogenous, are of the same cell type, and are the so-called hyphae, historically considered typical of the family Gelidiaceae only. A new subdivision of the Gelidiales into three families is proposed here, with the amendment of both Gelidiellaceae and Gelidiaceae, and the Pterocladiaceae fam. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed vegetative and reproductive study of the little known species Spatoglossum solieri, using both fresh material and herbarium specimens, showed that the reproductive structures hitherto described as oogonia in S. solieri correspond, in fact, to undivided sporangia. Oogonia of S. solieri are reported and described for the first time in the present paper. They can be distinguished from undivided sporangia by their shape, the presence of a pedicel consisting of 1-2(3) basal flat cells and because they protrude up to half their length above the blade surface. Sporangia appeared as sessile structures, although they sometimes show a single lenticular stalk cell laterally placed. Likewise, and contrary to the published data, this study showed that antheridia are pedicellate structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the number of algicolous fungi is small, they are of particular interest because of their parasitic or symbiotic properties. Only 79 species of filamentous fungi — out of a total of 465 marine species — are associated with marine algae, and 18 with animals; many of them have not been illustrated in detail. The present paper provides illustrations and full descriptions of 8 marine ascomycetes, 6 of them from algae and 2 from animal hosts. The algicolous species belong to the genera Didymella, Haloguignardia, Spathulospora and Turgidosculum; those from animals are members of Abyssomyces and Laboulbenia. The illustrations are line drawings made with the aid of a camera lucida, and are almost all based on type material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to improve the knowledge of the primary producers living in the Venice Lagoon by studying the composition and the distribution of the benthic diatom communities populating subtidal surface sediments. The upper 5 mm of sediment from four areas distributed between the Malamocco inlet and the mainland north of Venice were collected and analysed. Sampling was carried out monthly for one year (1998–99). Species composition, cell abundance and carbon content were determined by light microscopy after separation of cells from the sediment particles using hydrogen peroxide. A total of 147 taxa were identified, mostly pennate diatoms (Bacillariales) belonging to the genera Amphora, Cocconeis, Navicula, Nitzschia and Pleurosigma. Cell abundance ranged from 0.7 × 106 cells cm-3, near the Malamocco inlet (Station A), to 10.4 × 106 cells cm-3 near the mainland (Station C). Diatom carbon content was between 28 and 380 μg cm-3. Seasonal trends were slight, except at Stations D and C where the lowest abundance was found in October—November and the highest one in summer. Significant relationships between benthic diatoms and macrophyte biomass, sediment grain size, underwater light transmission, sediment fluxes and the salinity gradient were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the last century, the richness of the Canary Islands marine flora has attracted many botanists. Børgesen's seminal papers have been the main reference source for anyone interested in this flora. The first checklist of the marine macroalgae from the Canary Islands was published by Gil-Rodríguez and Afonso-Carrillo (1980a) with 434 macroalgal species being listed together with some dubious records. In recent years, the research efforts of local phycologists and the output of some scientific expeditions have yielded some new species and a large number of new records to the Canarian seaweed flora. The aim of this contribution is to compile an up-to-date catalogue of the marine plants for the Canary Islands (including cyanobacteria, macroalgae, seagrasses and fungi). The review of all published records of these marine plants takes into account the present taxonomic status and nomenclatural changes of the taxa concerned and rejects old and dubious records. After a careful review of the pertinent references and revision of live and preserved material, only valid records published before July 2001 are included in this checklist. Besides, each species is quoted for the islands in an east-west fashion to illustrate the distributional pattern of the species concerned. The marine flora of the Canary Islands is composed of 711 species, which are distributed as follows: 59 Cyanophycota, 385 Rhodophycota, 125 Chromophycota, 117 Chlorophycota, 3 seagrasses and 22 fungi. Compared to nearby regions, the Canarian archipelago comprises a much larger number of species. This high diversity appears to be the result of the combined effects of its geographic location, paleoclimatic events and the prevailing oceanographic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrids between male and female thalli of Griffithsia monilis were obtained from somatic cell fusion and regeneration of the fusion cells. The hybrid cells were fused using a wound-healing process, and the fusion cells developed into morphologically normal mature thalli. The hybrids, however, were abnormal in sexual differentiation showing bisexual and bisexual/mixed-phase reproduction. The bisexual/mixed-phase thalli produced tetrasporangia as well as female procarps and male spermatangia. Tetrasporangia were always produced together with spermatangia on a single axial cell. Tetraspores released from the bisexual/mixed-phase thalli developed into male, female, bisexual or bisexual/mixed-phase thalli. The DNA ploidy level indicated that the nuclear phase of bisexual/mixed-phase thalli was haploid. Previously reported models on mixed-phase reproduction such as nuclear co-action and nuclear fusion could not explain the haploid mixed-phase phenomenon. Therefore, a new model, genetic regulation of sex-determining genes, is proposed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the large-scale geographical distribution, population structure, and reproductive season of the brown algae Fucus serratus L. in the Baltic proper. We have also experimentally tested fertilisation success and germination of F. serratus zygotes in a salinity gradient with the aim of finding out whether an adaptation to reduced salinity has occurred. Fucus serratus was found to be belt-forming along the shores of southeastern Sweden and scattered populations were found up to the middle of the Baltic proper. The ratio of non-reproductive (juvenile) plants per reproductive (adult) plant decreased significantly from 37 ± 8 S. E. in the south to 0.4 ± 0.2 in the north. Fucus serratus was reproductive during October to November on the mainland coast, while the populations on the southeast coast of Öland were reproductive during June to July. Laboratory experiments showed that successful fertilisation of Baltic F. serratus zygotes decreased drastically from 86.9 ± 1.0% S. E. at 9 psu to 5.5 ± 0.5% S. E. at 6 psu. Fucus serratus zygotes from the western coast of Sweden needed a significantly higher salinity for successful fertilisation than the Baltic gametes did, and at 8 psu, only a few eggs were fertilised (5.5 ± 0.5% S. E.). Since a relatively high proportion (35%) of the Baltic F. serratus zygotes germinated in 7 psu, (the salinity at the northernmost populations) we discuss other factors such as ice-scraping and eutrophication as possible factors limiting the geographical and vertical distribution of the species in the Baltic Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]