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Studies in New Zealand on the family Kallymeniaceae have revealed greater diversity than had been reported previously, including samples identified as species of the genus Callophyllis. Specimens from New Zealand referred to as Callophyllis variegata were distantly related to the type species from Chile. Samples identified as Judithia laingii (a.k.a. Thamnophyllis laingii) were not part of this genus but were sister to samples of New Zealand ‘Callophyllis variegata'. These two species from New Zealand were placed in Fulgeophyllis gen. nov. The new genus was characterised by flattened thalli that were flabellate and pseudodichotomously divided into numerous narrow segments terminating with obtuse, truncate or fringed apices and the presence of stellate or elongated refractive cells, immersed in a medulla of large cells surrounded by small-celled filaments. Reproductive features included monocarpogonial and auxiliary branch systems, fusion cells producing nonseptate connecting filaments and protru...

Studies of New Zealand Kallymeniaceae have revealed a great deal of diversity, providing new perspectives on relationships within the family and necessitating the establishment of new genera. Based on rbcL, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), psbA sequence analyses and morphological observations, we reassessed the phylogenetic relationships of three endemic species from southern New Zealand. A new genus, Blastophyllis, was established to accommodate two distinctive species, currently known as Callophyllis hombroniana and Callophyllis calliblepharoides. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that these species were distantly related to Callophyllis sensu stricto, including the generitype Callophyllis variegata from Chile. Blastophyllis had compressed thalli consisting of branches with short side proliferations and protruding cystocarps developed on the lateral proliferations. Zuccarelloa gen. nov. was established to accommodate a peculiar species erroneously referred to the genus Gelidium, as Gelidium ...

In order to promote the use of sub-Antarctic macroalgae as food, four species of marine macroalgae: Macrocystis pyrifera, Durvillaea antarctica, Pyropia columbina, and Callophyllis variegata were studied for their nutritional value. They were collected monthly between October and December 2012 throughout the Strait of Magallanes, sub-Antarctic Chile. The chemical composition, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and vitamins A and C, and the macronutrient, mineral, and fatty acid content were examined. Ash (15.1–34.1 %) and soluble fiber (26.5 to 40.3 %) were the most abundant in these species. Presence of protein was moderate (8.2–25.0 %), with red alga (C. variegata) having the highest value on dry weight (dw). All algal species had lipid contents of less than 5 % dw. Maximum carbohydrate content was observed in P. columbina (9.5 % dw). Potassium was the most abundant essential element found in M. pyrifera (8.51 % dw), while P. columbina was found to be richest in iron (305.5 ± 5.5 μg g−1 dw) and C. variegata showed the highest contents of Cu (17.4 ± 0.7 μg g−1 dw). The most abundant saturated fatty acids were palmitic (C16:0) and myristic acid (C14:0), with values ranging from 4.33 to 9.22 %. The most abundant monounsaturated fatty acid was oleic acid (C18:1ω9). The highest levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid were observed for arachidonic (20:4ω6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5ω3) or EPA.

Callophyllis variegata (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) is an edible species used in salads and soups in Asian countries. Research into its early stages and growth is required to develop cultivation. This study evaluated the effect of temperature and photoperiod on viability and germination in the laboratory and, subsequently, growth in the sea. Carpospores collected during different seasons from the localities of Chauman (41°47′S) and Punihuil (41°55′S), in southern Chile, were grown in Provasoli medium at 10 and 15 °C. After 7 days, viability was higher in the photoperiod of 16:08 h (light/darkness) and 10 °C, while germination was higher at 15 °C in the same photoperiod. Viability was over 65 % in both localities in winter and spring, and germination was 74.6 and 87.5 %, respectively. Daily growth rates in the laboratory fluctuated between 2 and 10 %. Tetrasporophytic juveniles settled on cotton nets were grown on long lines at 3.5 m deep in the sea for 8 months. Growth and density of fronds were evaluated monthly. Epiphytic seaweeds such as Ulva sp. and Polysiphonia sp. were observed on the nets. C. variegata fronds grew up to approximately 8 cm, and the final density was between 10 and 40 ind/10 cm. A preliminary evaluation of culture costs is also presented.

The monotypic kallymeniacean genus Ionia established as Iona cornu-cervi is endemic to the Sea of Okhotsk. We observed the type material of the species deposited in the Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (LE, St. Petersburg, Russia) and compared it with fresh collections near the type locality. Analysis of the rbcL dataset revealed that I. cornu-cervi was not distinct from other genera of the Kallymeniaceae but consistently nested within the genus Callophyllis and formed a sister relationship with Callophyllis variegata. Here, we propose the new combination Callophyllis cornu-cervi based on I. cornu-cervi and treat the genus Ionia as a synonym of Callophyllis. Callophyllis cornu-cervi is distinguished by a thallus with many slightly convoluted segments positioned at an angle to each other, forming an erect and more or less rigid plant, and a medulla composed of intermingled large and small cells.

SUMMARY Callophyllis variegata is a red alga that has been exported to Japan as an edible seaweed over the past few years. Available data strongly suggest that after a few years of exploitation of the C. variegata stands in southern Chile, a decline of its abundance seems to be occurring. However, there is not sufficient knowledge available to sustain harvesting strategies or to develop cultivation techniques. This study describes the C. variegata landings in the south of Chile and also provides some basic data on the biology of this species. Experiments related to the cultivation of early developmental stages, frond cultivation under controlled conditions and the regeneration capacity of the holdfast of this red alga are also presented. Spore production occurs mainly in autumn and winter and survival of carpospores decreased as the temperature increased from 8 to 12°C. Survival of tetraspores increased significantly, from 50 to 60% to over 80%, when temperature was raised from 8 to 12°C. Carpospore survival was also significantly affected by the photon flux density. This effect was mainly at 8°C, whereas at 33 mmol m -2 s -1 the survival of the spores is always low. The cultivation of apical portions of C. variegata under laboratory conditions showed that lower temperatures (8°C) significantly increased growth. Salinity and photon flux density did not have an effect on specific growth rate. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that holdfasts can regenerate fronds and that these fronds can be excised and cultivated, and are far more tolerant to environmental factors than the apical portions.

This paper is a compilation of data from investigations made with marine benthic algae from the Magellan Region that have biotechnological utilization in human consumption or medicine or as a source of phycolloids or food supplements or animal feed. The most important Rhodophyta species are: Ahnfeltia plicata (Hudson) E.M. Fries for agarose production, Gigartina skottsbergii Setchell & N.L.Gardner for carrageenan production, and Callophyllis variegata (Bory de Saint-Vincent) Kützing for human consumption. The most important Heterokontophyta species are: Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Agardh, and Durvillaea antarctica (Chamisso) Hariot for human consumption, alginate production, and as biofertilizer for agricultural crops. M. pyrifera is also used as a food supplement for salmon, chickens, quails, sheep and bovines and for biofuel production.

Data are presented on the taxonomy and the temporal and spatial distribution of the most prevalent epiphytic taxa in a natural subtidal bed of Gracilaria in central-southern Chile. Also, the nature of the epiphyte/basiphyte interface is described. Samples were collected from April 1989 to July 1990 from 2.4 to 8.7 m. The following taxa were identified: Ceramium pacificum (Coll.) Kyl., Ceramium sp., Nitophyllum peruvianum (Mont.) Howe, Callophyllis variegata (Bory) Kuetz., Callophyllis pinnata Setch. & Swezy, Rhodophyllis aff. acanthocarpa (Harv.) J. Ag., Plocamium cartilagineum (L.) Dix., Antithamnionella sp. and Ulva lobata (Kuetz.) Setch. & Gardner. Epiphytism was seasonal; biomass maxima were recorded during the spring and summer from a depth of 6.2 m down. Except for Ulva, epiphyte biomass varied significantly (P≤0.01) with seasons, depths and their interactions. The two species of Ceramium posed the most serious problem because of their widespread occurrence, both seasonally and bathymetrically, and their high biomass, particularly in the bathymetric range in which Gracilaria is harvested. Additionally, profuse epiphytism by three taxe of red foliose algae, Nitophyllum, Rhodophyllis and Callophyllis, was recorded at depths between 7.5 to 8.7 m. However, in spite of the fact that in summer their biomass was significantly higher (P≤0.01) than that of Ceramium, they were of lesser concern because they colonize Gracilaria below the harvestable range of the bed. Damage caused by epiphytes might be a consequence of increased algal drag (by red folioses and Ulva) and weakening of the thalli of Gracilaria by penetration of rhizoids (by Ceramium spp.).

In Chile, the demand of edible seaweeds has increased during recent years and Callophyllis variegata is one of the most demanded species. This study summarizes information on phenology, aspects, in vitro culture and vegetative propagation methods for Callophyllis. Results indicate that spore production occurs mainly during winter, and recruitment of new plants appear in nature in the spring. Culture studies indicate that spores presented higher germination and growth rates at 8° C and 10 to 12 μmol m−2 s−1. Furthermore, these results indicate that this species presents a high potential for regeneration from its holdfast. The manipulation of temperature, light and culture medium enhances the regeneration process and growth of Callophyllis in the laboratory.