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The association between epizoic algae and animals is well known, and turtles are among the animals that most commonly host epibiont communities. The most studied algal component of the epizoic comm...

In this paper, a new species of the Cystoseira complex from Porto Palo di Capo Passero (Sicily, Italy) is described. The species, which shows the same characters as Cystoseira hyblaea Giaccone as described by Giaccone (1986) and Bouafif et al. (2016), from its morpho-anatomical characters, is assigned to the genus Ericaria Stackhouse. Because of “Cystoseira hyblaea” was not validly published name, Ericaria giacconei sp. nov. is here described. The main characteristics of the species are: 1) a caespitose habit; 2) large axes rugged with apices smooth, not prominent; 3) vegetative branches without spinose appendages; 4) primary branches with a cupressoid outline, especially when they are fertile; and 5) receptacles terminal, compact, cylindrical-oval, verrucose, with deciduous spinose appendages. Ericaria giacconei sp. nov. is related to both E. crinita (Duby) Molinari & Guiry and E. barbatula (Kutzing) Molinari & Guiry, but it differs from them mainly in the basal system consisting of a robust and compact basal disc and in apex of cauloids smooth and not prominent, never surrounded by spiniform appendages. A critical re-examination of herbarium specimens from Isola delle Correnti (eastern Sicily, Italy) attributed to E. crinita (as C. crinita) demonstrated that they actually belong to our new species.

A brief history of both nomenclature and taxonomy of ‘Callithamnion codii’ is presented. From the nomenclatural point of view, the implications deriving from considering it as validly published or not are presented. From the taxonomic point of view, the conspecificity of Colaconema codii and Colaconema caespitosum is reaffirmed.

Laminaria rodriguezii Bornet is a deep-water brown alga endemic of the Mediterranean Sea. Lectotypification of Laminaria rodiguezii has been based on both Bornet's protologue and the original material housed at the cryptogamic collections of the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris (PC).

We investigated phytobenthos in submerged marine caves. Underwater caves have rarely been examined for floristic composition. The study was carried out in two Mediterranean marine protected areas (MPAs) [Plemmirio (Maddalena Peninsula, Syracuse, Ionian Sea) and Pelagean Islands (Straits of Sicily)] and the caves were chosen on the basis of their geomorphology, exposure, and bathymetry. From our comparative study of cave floras, we demonstrated that the macroalgal flora of each cave is influenced by the floristic composition of the adjacent area that is a natural source of recruits and by the light environment. Caves that are “visited” (i.e., those situated on one of the underwater routes for scuba divers visiting the MPAs) had floristic richnesses higher than those of “scarcely” or “not visited” ones (i.e., not on tourist routed). This is likely because the visited caves, due to their large entrance and shallow location, have good lighting that favors high macroalgal biodiversity.

A study of the genus Padina in the Mediterranean Sea, based on detailed morphological and molecular analyses using chloroplast rbcL and mitochondrial cox3 gene sequences, as well as RuBisCO spacer and partial rbcS sequences, revealed the presence of two new species, P. ditristromatica Ni-Ni-Win & H. Kawai and P. pavonicoides Ni-Ni-Win & H. Kawai. They are two to three-layered and three-layered species, respectively. Padina ditristromatica is characterized by a thallus composed of two cell layers from the marginal portion to the inrolled margin and a mixture of two and three layers in the other portions; heavy calcification on both surfaces of the thallus except for the hair lines; alternating hair lines that are spaced at unequal distances between the upper and lower surfaces; and broad indusiate oogonial and tetrasporangial sori forming broken lines or patches arranged in a concentric row, which are distally close to the hair lines and half immersed in the epidermis layer only on the lower surface. Padin...

SUMMARY The first occurrence of Palisada maris-rubri (K.W. Nam et Saito) K.W. Nam (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae) from the Mediterranean Sea, is reported. To date the species was known only from tetrasporic specimens from the type locality (Ras Muhammed, Sinai, Egypt, Red Sea). Mediterranean thalli share nearly all vegetative and reproductive features with Red Sea specimens showing more robust thalli with axes to 3 mm broad and ultimate branchlets to 1000 µm broad, absence of intercellular spaces between medullary cells and epidermal cells in transverse section with a palisade arrangement. Male and cystocarpic thalli are recorded for the first time. Moreover, the analysis of characters of three species of Chondrophycus previously known from the Mediterranean Sea (C. patentirameus (Montagne) K.W. Nam, C. tenerrimus (Cremades) G. Furnari et al. and C. thuyoides (Kutzing) G. Furnari) led us to conclude that they belong to the genus Palisada. The following new combinations are formally proposed: P. patentiramea (Montagne) Serio et al., P. thuyoides (Kutzing) Serio et al., P. tenerrima (Cremades) Serio et al.

C. PERRONE ,E . C ECERE AND G. FURNARI. 2006. Growth pattern assessment in the genus Acanthophora (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales). Phycologia 45: 37‐43. DOI: 10.2216/04-45.1 The results of a morphological study, mainly based on the growth pattern and shape of both apical zone and branch primordia of all the terete species of Acanthophora, are presented here. This study shows that species are mainly distinguished on the basis of developmental features such as monopodial vs sympodial growth pattern and not by characters such as the presence or absence of spines on the main axes and the morphology of the stichidial ramuli previously generally used to distinguish the species of this genus, and which have proved to be of no diagnostic value. A key to the species of Acanthophora based on both the results of the present research and easily detectable characters is also proposed. K EY WORDS: Acanthophora, Acanthophora aokii, Acanthophora dendroides, Acanthophora muscoides, Acanthophora nayadiformis, Acanthophora ramulosa, Acanthophora spicifera, taxonomy

The new species Ulva ardreana is here proposed to replace Ulva bifrons, an invalid name because no holotype was designated in the protologue. The new species consists of two to three distromatic blades arising from a short stipe, and it is easily distinguished from the other blade-like Ulva species in having a remarkable diversity in both shape and size of cells in the two layers.

Results are presented of a study of 15 specimens on six herbarium sheets in the Queensland Herbarium, Indooroopilly, Australia (BRI) labelled as L. pedicularioides Borgesen v. queenslandica Cribb (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta), including the lectotype. All specimens, except the lectotype, belong to species of Chondrophycus or Laurencia either previously recorded or described from Australia, including C. succisus (Cribb) K. W. Nam, L. brongniartii J. Agardh, L. distichophylla J. Agardh, L. heteroclada Harvey and L. majuscula (Harvey) Lucas. Only the lectotype, a sterile specimen collected at Redcliffe (Queensland, Australia), exhibits those vegetative features consistent with L. pedicularioides v. queenslandica. From comparisons with the holotype of L. pedicularioides Borgesen, a tetrasporic specimen collected at Dwarka (India) housed in the herbarium of Copenhagen (C), it is confirmed that Cribb's variety belongs in Borgesen's species. Moreover, due to the epidermal origin of tetrasporangia observed in the holotype, this species is transferred to Osmundea as 0. pedicularioides (Borgesen) comb. nov. This first record from both the Indian and the SW-Pacific Oceans of a species of Osmundea, suggests that the genus might reflect a Tethyan (and not a late Tethyan) distribution pattern.

A study was carried out to determine the status and disposition of Corallinaceae recorded from the Ross Sea (Antarctica), viz. Clathromorphum lemoineanum, Leptophytum coulmanicum, L. laeve and L. foecundum. A re-examination of the type of Lithothamnion coulmanicum (basionym of Leptophytum coulmanicum) showed that it is referable to the genus Phymatolithon because it possesses epithallial cells whose outermost walls are rounded to flattened and meristem cells that are as short as or shorter than their immediate inward derivatives. Such characters were also evident in specimens from McMurdo Sound. Moreover, because all the specimens studied had a conceptacle chamber roof c. 300 μm in diameter, a thallus thickness of up to 1 mm, and buried old conceptacles, they are conspecific with P. foecundum. Studies of specimens from Terra Nova Bay identified as C. lemoineanum and of specimens from Franklin Island identified as L. laeve showed that they should all be referred to P. foecundum. Furthermore, judging by the description and illustrations given by Zaneveld & Sanford [Blumea 26: 205-231 (1980)], records of P. foecundum (as L. foecundum) from Cape Hallett and Moubray Bay can be confirmed. Therefore, P. foecundum is the only member of Corallinaceae confirmed to occur in the Ross Sea (Antarctica).

Feldmann (1970: 249), quoting the results of Hustede (1960), who had shown that Bryopsis halymeniae Berthold (1882: 497) was the gametophyte of a Derbesia sp. [1] , pointed out that this species could not belong to the genus Bryopsis differing from it in chloroplasts with no pyrenoids and gametes without a stigma. On that basis, as well as because of its peculiar life cycle, he stated that Bryopsis halymeniae should be considered the type of a new genus: Bryopsidella . Even though Feldmann (1970) did not explicitely propose the new combination Bryopsidella halymeniae , such a binomial was reported by Gallardo et al . (1993: 412, note 60) and by Boudouresque & Per-ret-Boudoure-sque (1987: 83). [1] A more complete paper showing that Derbesia neglecta and Bryopsis halymeniae are phases of one species, was later published by Hustede (1964).

Attention is called to Ulvaceae invalidly described by Bliding in 1960 and 1963, due to his failure to indicate Types. The following new taxa Ulva croatica, Ulva mediterranea, Ulva splitiana, Ulva flexuosa var. linziformis, Ulva linzoides, Ulva blidingii, Ulva flexuosa [subsp. paradoxa] var. profunda and Ulva prolifera subsp. blidingiana to replace the invalid names Enteromorpha adriatica, Enteromorpha aragoensis, Enteromorpha jugoslavica, Enteromorpha linziformis, Enteromorpha stipitata var. linzoides, Ulva neapolitana, Enteromorpha flexuosa [subsp. paradoxa] var. profunda and Enteromorpha prolifera subsp. gullmariensis respectively, are proposed. Moreover, the conspecificity between Enteromorpha multiramosa Bliding nom. inval. (= Ulva multiramosa Taskin) and Ulva polyclada Kraft is proposed.

Recent taxonomic studies of the genus Laurencia sensu lato (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae) have resulted in the recognition of three genera within the ‘Laurencia complex’: Laurencia sensu stricto, Chondrophycus and Osmundea. A critical examination of all Mediterranean records of taxa referred to Laurencia has shown that three species of Chondrophycus, six species of Osmundea and nine species of Laurencia are present. These taxa are described and illustrated. Laurencia caduciramulosa and L. intricata are reported for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea and from Italy, respectively. A key to the Mediterranean species of the Laurencia complex is given.

The red algae Chondrophycus patentirameus (Montagne) Nam (‘patentiramea’) and L. paniculata (C. Agardh) J. Agardh were investigated on the basis of type material and recent collections. Both species show the following features: (i) production of two vegetative pericentral cells from each axial segment; (ii) absence of secondary pit connections between cortical cells; (iii) lack of projecting cortical cells near the apex; (iv) absence of lenticular thickenings in the walls of medullary cells; and (v) perpendicular arrangement of tetrasporangia, each of which is produced from the second pericentral cell in each fertile segment with no additional tetrasporangial pericentral cells. However, C. patentirameus has a stoloniferous holdfast, divaricate branching (with branches arising at angles up to 90°) and non-palisade-like superficial cortical cells, whereas L. paniculata has a discoid holdfast, non-divaricate branching and a palisade-like cortical layer. From this study it is concluded that C. patentirameus (...

Osmundea maggsiana Serio, Cormaci et G. Furnari sp. nov. (Ceramjales, Rhodophyta) is described from the Mediterranean Sea. Thalli are terete, rigid in texture, and irregularly ramified and have as many as three orders of branching. Branches and branchlets are irregularly alternate to spirally (seldom suboppositely) arranged. Epidermal cells do not protrude at the ends of branchlets and have no secondary pit connections; in transverse section they are radially elongate and palisadelike. Vegetative axial segments have two pericentral cells. Tetrasporangia, produced from epidermal cells, are cut off laterally from the mother cells. The two cover cells are aligned parallel to the stichidial axis in surface view. Male gametophytes have reproductive structures of the ‘filament’ type. Spermatangial branches are simple, terminating in one or two (rarely three) spherical sterile cells and are inserted in cuplike depressions located at the bifurcation of branchlets. The new species resembles Osmundea hybri...

The original collections of Cystoseira algeriensis J. Feldmann and of Cystoseira elegans Sauvageau, both held in the Herbarium of the Laboratoire de Cryptogamie, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (PC), were examined and lectotypes were designated, since no holotypes were indicated by original authors.

A new species of the genus Polysiphonia from the Mediterranean Sea is described. It is an ecorticate species, with 4 pericentral cells, showing prostrate axes from which erect axes arise. Rhizoids are formed by pericentral cells in a median position remaining in open connection with them. Erect axes are straight, simple throughout or pseudodichotomous at the base then simple or with one (rarely two-three) orders of branching; trichoblasts and scar cells not observed. Only tetrasporangial plants were found. They show ellipsoid tetrasporangia borne in short straight series, often interrupted by sterile segments. The new species is also characterized by a peculiar habit consisting of prostrate axes, adhering to lower faces of Peyssonnelia spp. by means of rhizoids growing upward, from which erect upright axes perforating thalli of the supporting species arise. A comparison with the related species of Polysiphonia was also carried out.

A study of Mediterranean specimens identified as Pseudolithophyllum expansum, Lithophyllum expansum sensu Lemoine and Pseudolithophyllum cabiochiae have shown that the taxa represent the same species and the names (except P. expansum, which is a heterotypic synonym of Mesophyllum lichenoides) represent heterotypic synonyms of Melobesia frondosa, previously treated as a synonym of Lithophyllum grandiusculum, and here considered as a distinct species, Lithophyllum frondosum. All specimens have tetrasporangial conceptacles with a diameter greater than 300 μm, and pore canals that narrow towards the top, with the cells adjacent to them oriented more or less obliquely to the roof surface and projecting into, but not completely occluding, the canal. The above characters are shown also by L. bermudense, which is here considered as a further heterotypic synonym of L. frondosum.

The first record of tetrasporophytes of Polysiphonia funebris from the Mediterranean Sea is reported. Thalli correspond in vegetative characters to the descriptions of the species from literature as well to both holotype and other herbarium specimens studied. The relevant character of the origin of rhizoids, in a median or posterior position, from periaxial cells with which remain in open connection, was detected for the first time. Tetrasporangia are borne in branches or branchlets in short terminal series. They are arranged in an irregular right-handed spiral. From the comparison with both P. balanicola and P. devoniensis resulted that the former is a synonym of P. funebris, while the latter is a distinct species.

Progress in the taxonomy of the genus Laurencia Lamouroux (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae) is presented. The initial use of only morphological characters was stepwise substituted by the use of both anatomical and reproductive characters that permitted to better characterize species. Infrageneric sudivisions proposed throughout the years are discussed as well as criteria that permitted to ascribe to the resurrected genus Osmundea Stackhouse some species previously referred to as Laurencia.

Anotrichium tenue (C. Agardh) Nageli is widely distributed in the Mediterranean Sea. It has also been reported from warm waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. The species, originally described as Griffithsia tenuis C. Agardh from sterile specimens collected at Venice (Adriatic Sea), was reported from the same area by Zanardini (1841: 171). The main vegetative characters which distinguish A. tenue from related species are the sparse subsecund branching and the origin of branches from the lower ends of cells, as pointed out by Harvey (1858: 130) who examined an "authentic" specimen of "Agardh's G. tenuis from the Mediterranean". Nageli (1862: 397) assigned Griffithsia tenuis to his new genus Anotrichium, which differs from Griffithsia C. Agardh in having tetrasporangia and spermatangia borne singly on basal cells and not in fascicles. He divided Anotrichium, in turn, into two subgenera: A. subg. Anotrichium ("Euanotrichium"), comprising the single species A. barbatum (C. Agardh) Nageli, with a tetrasporangium borne at the distal end of the basal cell of a whorled branch, and A. subg. Coryphosporium Nageli, comprising the single species A. tenue, for which he described the tetrasporangia as being borne terminally on unicellular whorled pedicels. Hauck (1885: 91) described similar tetrasporangia in specimens from the Adriatic Sea. Neither author mentioned the number of sporangia per node. Feldmann-Mazoyer (1941: 411) gave a detailed description of a tetrasporangial specimen from Algeria (western Mediterranean), pointing out that sporangia are borne terminally on pedicels, with 5 to 8 pedicels in each whorl. The same tetrasporangial disposition (Fig. 1-2) is apparent in subsequent reports of this species

A new species of the genus Taonia (Dictyotales, Phaeophyta) is described from the Mediterranean Sea. The species is characterized by pseudodichotomous fronds having entire margins and by a pronounced differentiation between the medullary and cortical cells throughout the thallus. Only tetrasporangial plants were found. The species differs from T. atomaria f. ciliata in having differently sized cells in cross section and an entire margin and from T. lennebackerae in both the habit and in the shape of cells in longitudinal section.

Observations on three interesting Ceramiales from the Mediterranean Sea are reported; Ceramium incospicuum Zanardini, Polysiphonia setacea Hollenberg and Rodriguezella pinnata (Kutzing) Schmitz ex Falkenberg. The male reproductive structures on the genus Rodriguezella are described for the first time.

A new species, Chylocladia wynnei sp. nov., is described from the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of 2–4 terete, unbranched erect axes, 5–10(–13) mm high, arising from a discoid holdfast. Axes, covered by a thick mucilaginous layer, are hollow throughout. They are divided into segments by monostromatic diaphragms and are constricted at the diaphragms. Axes have a unilayered cortex and longitudinal filaments lining their inner surface; gland cells are cut off from these filaments. Gametophytic plants are dioecious and consist of only two segments. Male thalli have spermatangia in superficial sori located between the two segments. One or two spherical sessile cystocarps are borne on the distal part of the basal segment. Tetrasporic plants comprise 4–5 segments; tetrahedrally divided tetrasporangia are scattered throughout the thallus. These sporangia are transformed from larger cortical cells and, when mature, they protrude into the thallus cavity. Diminutive stature and unbranched erect axes covered with a thick mucilaginous layer clearly distinguish C. wynnei from previously described species of Chylocladia.

SUMMARY We describe Verosphacela silvae sp. nov., from the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of horizontal filaments living on the lower face of the red alga Peyssonnelia rubra (Greville) J. Agardh, from which erect filaments up to 1.5 mm high rise and grow upright after passing through the thallus of the supporting species. There are both horizontal and erect filaments growing by apical cells. In the subapical cells, 1–2 longitudinal divisions occur (more frequently in the erect filaments) but no secondary transverse divisions occur. Erect filaments bear lateral propagules on a stalk of one to three (rarely more) cells. Propagules, with neither apical cells nor arms, consist of seven cells. Zoidangia are borne at the apex of erect laterals. The new species differs from V. ebrachia Henry mainly in habit, propagules and zoidangia. In addition, distinct from V. ebrachia, filaments of V. silvae never penetrate between the cuticle and the cell wall of the supporting alga. Moreover, propagules of V. silvae consist of seven cells, whereas those of V. ebrachia consist of 9–13 cells, and zoidangia are terminal on laterals in V. silvae, whereas in V. ebrachia they are sessile on both axes and laterals.

A critical re-examination of both recent and historical herbarium specimens from the Mediterranean Sea attributed to Gelidiella ramellosa highlighted that previous identifications were incorrect. Our investigations have demonstrated that the examined specimens actually belong to the genus Parviphycus; some of them must be attributed to the recently described P. albertanoae and some to the undescribed species Parviphycus bompardii. The new species shows morphological features that distinguish it from the other congeners and represents the fifth species of the genus occurring in the Mediterranean Sea. Parviphycus bompardii is readily recognizable for both branching pattern and characteristics of tetrasporangial sori. Results of this study suggest a re-examination of previous Mediterranean records attributed to G. ramellosa and a much more accurate approach to future records of Gelidiales. An identification key to Mediterranean species of Parviphycus is also presented based on our results and also on a review of the literature.

A study of the morphology of the brown alga Cystoseira squarrosa De Notaris, a rare and little known species, was carried out on numerous thalli collected at Torre del Serpe near Otranto (Apulia, Italy). Because the original material of this species, held in the Herbarium of the University of Genova (GE), was destroyed during the Second World War, a neotype is designed here. The species is well characterized by the combination of the following characters: not caespitose, bush-like habit; short primary axis bearing 1-2 secondary axes inserted at right angle; oblong and warty tophules; slightly prominent and smooth apex of the axes; robust, rigid, flattened, not spaced spinose appendages with bifid, trifid or multifid apices and conceptacles grouped at the base of the spinose appendages.

Reproductive structures of Laurencia pelagosae are described for the first time. Tetrasporangia, in parallel arrangement, are cut off from the mother cells adaxially; antheridial branches, which are unramified, are inserted in depressions lacking a row of axial cells on their bases; cystocarps are sessile and subspherical. The occurrence of secondary pit-connections between epidermal cells and of lenticular thickenings in the walls of medullary cells is documented. The species is included in the new section Pelagosae within the subgenus Laurencia.

An annotated checklist of the Ceramiales (Rhodophyceae; red algae) of the Mediterranean, based on literature records, is given. The distribution of each taxon in the area (which is divided into 16 regions) is reported. The number of species and infraspecific taxa of this group accepted for the Mediterranean Sea as currently recognised taxonomically is 271. This list has benefited from the suggestions on taxonomy, nomenclature and regional distribution made by phycological advisers for each region.

This is the first record of Botryocladia madagascariensis from the Gulf of Antalya (Mediterranean Turkish coast). A description of the specimens collected as well as a key to the identification of Mediterranean species of the genus Botryocladia are also included. Some considerations on the distribution of B. madagascariensis, with reference to that of the related species B. botryoides, are also made.

A check-list of Mediterranean green algae, based on literature records, is given. The distribution of each taxon in the area (which is divided into 16 regions) is reported. The number of species and intraspecific taxa accepted for the Mediterranean Sea under current taxonomy is 214. This list has benefited from the suggestions on taxonomy, nomenclature and regional distribution made by phycological advisers for each region

A study of Mediterranean specimens identified as Laurencia pinnatifida (Hudson) Lamouroux (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) showed that they have to be referred to L. truncata Kutzing. This species, occurring also in the Atlantic, where it was recorded under other names, shows the following main features: axes compressed; epidermal cells elongate, with secondary pit connections; medullary cells showing abundant lenticular thickenings; tetrasporangia, in parallel arrangement, cut off from the mother cells abaxially; antheridial branches unbranched, inserted in depressions that do not show a row of axial cells at their base. The species is included in the subgenus Laurencia, section Planae. The new subgenus Saitoa (type species L. pinnatifida), including the section Pinnatijidae J. Agardh emend. Furnari et Serio, is proposed. It is characterized by lack of secondary pit connections between epidermal cells and by parallel arrangement of tetrasporangia.

The authors report the results of a floristic study of the benthic macroalgae from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) based on collections made during two Italian expeditions to Antarctica. A brief description, phytogeographic data and, where necessary, taxonomic and nomenclatural observations are given for the 17 taxa encountered (9 Rhodophyceae, 4 Fucophyceae and 4 Chlorophyceae)

A check-list of Mediterranean brown algae, based on literature records, is given. The distribution of each taxon in the area (which is divided into 16 regions) is reported. The number of taxa accepted for the Mediterranean Sea under current taxonomy is 265. This list has benefited from the suggestions on taxonomy, nomenclature and regional distribution made by algological advisers from each region

The authors report on the occurrence in Sicily of three Florideophyceae newly recorded for the Mediterranean Sea: Botryocladia madagascariensis G. Feldmann, Ceramium strobiliforme Lawson et John and Chondria pygmaea Garbary et Vandermeulen. A brief description as well as ecological and phytogeographic data are provided for each species

The question of whether or not Leptophytum (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) should be recognised as a distinct genus has been addressed using new data generated from type and other specimens combined with analyses of previously published data from various authors. The results have shown that none of the criteria proposed to separate Leptophytum from Phymatolithon are reliable at generic level. Some lead to the exclusion of type species from genera, others are impossible to assess because information is lacking for virtually all included species, others have character states that intergrade and thus are unsuitable and still others appear to be useful for separating species but not genera. Most of the character states proposed as diagnostic of Leptophytum are unknown or are not present in most of the species that were explicitly included in the recent proposed re-instatement of the genus and, in some cases, species included in Leptophytum show the opposing character state for Phymatolithon. No serious conflict occurs between the holotype fragments of Leptophytum laeve (the type species of Leptophytum) and the designated epitype and the designation of an epitype is fully justified because all of the characters evident in the holotype are demonstrably ambiguous and could apply to more than one species. Moreover, new evidence supports the probable conspecificity of the holotype and the designated epitype and reinforces the conclusion that Leptophytum should not be recognised as a genus distinct from Phymatolithon. Nomenclaturally, the correct authorship of the name of the type species of Leptophytum is L. laeve Adey and not L. laeve (Str�mfelt) Adey or L. laeve (Foslie in Rosenvinge) Adey, and for purposes of priority, the name Leptophytum laeve dates from 1966.

Specimens of Antithamnionella elegans (Berthold) Cormaci et Furnari (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta) with an undescribed arrangement of whorl-branchlets (opposite and decussate) are recorded from the Mediterranean Sea. Comparisons of Antithamnionella elegans with Antithamnion sublittorale Setchell et Gardner and Antithamnionella breviramosa (Dawson) Wollaston ex Womersley et Bailey showed that these taxa are conspecific. The only significant difference among these taxa involves the arrangement of the whorl-branchlets; this is not considered sufficient to separate them as species, but only as varieties. The following varieties are proposed: Antithamnionella elegans v. elegans (syn. A. breviramosa), with usually three whorl-branchlets per whorl; A. elegans v. sublittoralis (Setchell et Gardner) comb. et stat. nov., with two distichous whorl-branchlets; A. elegans v. decussata var. nov., with two whorl-branchlets decussately arranged; A. elegans v. boergesenii var. nov., with four to five whorl-branchlets ...

The authors point out the presence near Augusta (Siracusa, Sicily) of fertile tetrasporophytes of Cottoniella filamentosa (Howe) Boergesen var. algeriensis (Schotter) Womersley and Shepley (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae, Sarcomenioideae). Tetrasporocysts, tetrahedrally divided, lie in two parallel rows in branches of indefinite growth. They are produced by the two lateral pericentral cells of each axial cell. Some taxonomic reflections and a key to the species of Cottoniella complete this work.

On the occurrence in Southern Italy of some benthic marine algae rare to the Mediterranean Sea. - The Authors report the occurrence along the coast of Southern Italy of the following species that resulted rare to the Mediterranean Sea: Antithamnion piliferum Cormaci et Furnari; Bonnemaisonia asparagoides (Woodward) C. Agardh (tetrasporophyte); Corynophlaea flaccida Kuetzing; Fosliella farinosa (Lamouroux) Howe: of this very common species, the occurrence of thalli with propagules is reported; Hypnea cervicornis J. Agardh; Jania adherens Lamouroux, new to Italy; Mesogloia lanosa P.L. et H.M. Crouan, new to Italy; Pneophyllum confervicolum (Kuetzing) Chamberlain f. minutulum (Foslie) Chamberlain, new to the Mediterranean Sea; Polystrata fosliei (Weber van Bosse) Denizot, new to Italy; Rhodymenia delicatula Dangeard; Spermothamnion johannis G. Feldmann-Mazoyer: of this common species, the occurrence of bisporocysts in monoic gametophytes is reported; Vickersia baccata (J. Agardh) Karsakoff.