Porphyra aeodis sp nov (Bangiales, Rhodophyta), an epiphyte of Aeodes orbitosa from South Africa

A new species of Porphyra is described from the south western Cape, South A frica. The gametophyte of Porphyra aeodis sp. nov, grows epiphytically on A eodes orbitosa (Suhr) Schmitz, and has a seasonal life history that matches that of its host. Although P. aeodis has been confused with P. capensis Ku tzing in the past, P. aeodis is more similar to the sympatric but epilithic P. saldanhae Stegenga, Bolton et Anderson. There is considerable morpholog ical overlap between P. aeodis and P. saldanhae, although they may be disti nguished using a combination of morphological and ecological characters. Th e taxonomic separation of P. aeodis and P. saldanhae was confirmed using is ozyme electrophoresis.