Taxonomic review of the species of Pterocladia (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta)

Segregating Pterocladiella from Pterocladia stimulated new taxonomic studie s of the species originally assigned to Pterocladia. A total of 28 species are ascribed to the genus, one of them with doubts. Thirteen of the 27 name s are synonyms. Three of the remaining 14 species belong with Gelidium, inc luding G. americanum, G. mcnabbianum (Dawson) comb. nov. and G. musciformis . Seven other species belong with Pterocladiella, including P. bartlettii ( Taylor) comb. nov., P. bulbosa, P. caerulescens, P. caespitosa (Kylin) comb . nov., P. caloglossoides (Howe) comb. nov., P. capillacea and P. melanoide a. Two species are retained in Pterocladia, the type P. lucida and P. recta ngularis. Two others, P. heteroplatos and P. media are placed in incertae s edis as additional studies of fertile materials are needed to determine the ir generic status. The genus Pterocladia now appears to include two large s ized species restricted to Australia-New Zealand. Pterocladiella has 8 smal l-sized species (including P. minima), mainly inhabiting tropical and subtr opical waters. Future research documenting sexual reproduction in Gelidiell a and solving the presently recognized heterogeneity in Gelidium will help to trace the relationships between Pterocladiella and these two genera.