CHAMPIA WOMERSLEYI (CHAMPIACEAE, RHODOPHYTA), A FLATTENED AND DICHOTOMOUS NEW SPECIES FROM THE SOUTH-WESTERN PACIFIC

Champia womersleyi sp. nov. is described from specimens collected from subtidal habitats, 5-34 m deep, at Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, and on the Australian mainland at Coffs Harbour. Plants are markedly f lattened, regularly dichotomously branched, and have longitudinal fila ments that course throughout the hollow interior of the branches. Supe rficially similar to Champia expansa Yendo from Japan, C. womersleyi c an be separated on features of cortex structure, degree of blade-margi n proliferation, overall thallus sizes and branch widths, and presence or absence of hairs borne on the outer cortical cells. Plants are als o strikingly iridescent in situ and are often covered with a hydrozoan .