Description of the tetrasporangial crustose and gametangial erect phases of Ahnfeltiopsis gigartinoides (J. Ag.) Silva et DeCew (Rhodophyta, Phyllophoraceae) in Bahia de Banderas, Mexico

Abstract

Tetrasporophyte and upright gametophyte thalli of a species collected in the region of Bahia de Banderas, Mexico are described. Both phases coincide with those observed in the life history of the genus Ahnfeltiopsis Silva et DeCew (Phyllophoraceae, Rhodophyceae). Crustose thalli are not identifiable as any of the red crustose non-coralline algae previously described, although they are similar to Erythrodermis Batters. The problems of identification of the specimens collected, which bear a resemblance to three species reported in Mexico: Ahnfeltiopsis concinna (J. Ag.) Silva et DeCew, Ahnfeltiopsis gigartinoides (J. Ag.) Silva et DeCew and Ahnfeltia svensonii Taylor, are discussed. It is concluded that the plants investigated should be assigned to Ahnfelfiopsis gigartinoides and that this is the only species of the genus present in the Mexican tropical Pacific.