Epiphytic Jania in New Zealand: Jania sphaeroramosa sp. nov. (Corallinales, Rhodophyta)

BRENTON A. TWIST; JUDY E. SUTHERLAND; WENDY A. NELSON

doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.357.1.3

Issue: Vol. 357 No. 1: 20 June 2018

Type: Article

Published: 2018-06-20

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.357.1.3

Page range: 30–40

Abstract views: 18

PDF downloaded: 1

**Epiphytic Jania in New Zealand: Jania sphaeroramosa sp. nov. (Corallinales, Rhodophyta)**

BRENTON A. TWIST⁺⁻
JUDY E. SUTHERLAND⁺⁻
WENDY A. NELSON⁺⁻

School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd, Private Bag 14-901, Wellington 6241, New Zealand

School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd, Private Bag 14-901, Wellington 6241, New Zealand

Articulated Corallinaceae Coralline algae Geniculate Taxonomy Algae

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Abstract

A new epiphytic species, Jania sphaeroramosa sp. nov., is described from rocky reef intertidal zones around the coast of New Zealand and associated islands. This species forms round tufts on a range of hosts. Thalli display a unique three-dimensional growth form, built up with multiple layers of dichotomous fronds. The thalli are dichotomously branched with intergenicula that are 190–330 µm long and 80–140 µm wide. Previously identified as Jania micrarthrodia in New Zealand, phylogenetic analyses of this epiphytic species, using psbA and nSSU genes, resolved New Zealand specimens separately from Australian specimens of Jania micrathrodia. This epiphyte does not conform to the description of any previously described species of Jania from New Zealand.