Morphological studies of Laurencia gemmifera and Laurencia poiteaui (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) from the Nichupte Lagoon System, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Abstract

Morphological studies were carried out on Laurencia gemmifera and L. poiteaui from the Nichupte Lagoon System, Quintana Roo, Mexico. These species share morphological similarities and possess features intermediate between the subgenera Laurencia Lamouroux and Chondrophycus Tokida et Saito, including secondary pit-connections between adjacent cortical cells and a right-angle arrangement of the tetrasporangia. They are, however, easily differentiated by their respective habits and anatomical details. Vegetative and reproductive features of Laurencia gemmifera and L. poiteaui are reported here. Despite the fact that the two species share characteristics common to both subgenera Laurencia and Chondrophycus, they appear to be more closely related to subgenus Chondrophycus.