M. Masuda et al., MORPHOLOGY AND HALOGENATED SECONDARY METABOLITES OF 3 GRAN-CANARIA SPECIES OF LAURENCIA (CERAMIALES, RHODOPHYTA), Botanica marina, 41(3), 1998, pp. 265-277
Laurencia majuscula (Harvey) Lucas is characterised by the production
of four periaxial cells from each vegetative axial segment and of two
tetrasporangium-bearing (the third and fourth) periaxial cells per fer
tile segment in tetrasporangial branches, in addition to other feature
s. Major halogenated secondary metabolites of this species are sesquit
erpenoids, isoobtusol and elatol. Laurencia intricata Lamouroux is cha
racterised by the presence of 2-4 corps en cerise per superficial cort
ical cell, in addition to other features. A major halogenated compound
of this alga is a sesquiterpenoid, caespitol. Laurencia perforata (Bo
ry) Montagne is characterised by the production of two periaxial cells
from each vegetative axial segment, tetrasporangia formed on two (the
second and additional third) periaxial cells from each axial segment
in tetrasporangial branches, and the absence of corps en cerise, in ad
dition to other features. Halogenated secondary metabolites were not d
etected in this alga, although some characteristic sesquiterpenoids ha
ve been reported from material collected from Fuerteventura, the Canar
y Islands. This strongly suggests that the Fuerteventuran alga was not
properly identified.