PHACELOCARPUS NEURYMENIOIDES SP-NOV (RHODOPHYTA, PHACELOCARPACEAE) - A NEW MARINE ALGA FROM FIJI

A new species of the red algal genus Phacelocarpus, of the monogeneric family Phacelocarpaceae, is reported and described for the first time from Fiji, South Pacific. Phacelocarpus neurymenioides differs from o ther members of the genus in a number of characters. It has a broad bl ade (up to 9 mm wide), with new blades arising irregularly from the mi drib. The alae terminate in short marginal serrations that are less th an ten percent of the blade width. Stalked cystocarps, and tetrasporan gial and spermatangial nemathecia are borne on the center of the midri b. In its vegetative morphology, P. neurymenioides bears a remarkable resemblance to the genus Neurymenia, with which it may occur on the re ef slope.