2 SOLIERIACEAN ALGAE NEW TO THE MEDITERRANEAN - AGARDHIELLA-SUBULATA AND SOLIERIA-FILIFORMIS (RHODOPHYTA, GIGARTINALES)

Two Atlantic species found in the Mediterranean ea were ascribed to th e family Solieriaceae on the basis of morphological features. In the e xtensive drifting beds of the Mar Piccolo basin (Taranto, Ionian Sea), Agardhiella subulata (C. Agardh) Kraft et Wynne and Solieria filiform is (Kutzing) Gabrielson were the dominant species in summer. There wer e no attached populations, and perennation was ensured only by vegetat ive propagation. Characteristics of the outer cortex and chromatophore s were useful for distinguishing the taxa at the species level and are recommended for recognition of sterile specimens.