Cladophora, Kutzing, 1843

Gestinari, Lísia Mônica De Souza, Pereira, Sonia Maria Barreto & Yoneshigue-Valentin, Yocie, 2010, Distribution of Cladophora Species (Cladophorales, Chlorophyta) along the Brazilian Coast, Phytotaxa 14, pp. 22-42 : 24

Artificial key to species of Cladophora from the Brazilian coast

1 Thallus attached by rhizoids with annular constriction............................................................................... C. prolifera

- Thallus attached by rhizoids without annular constriction ........................................................................................... 2

2 Attachment by rhizoids sprouting from basal cells and sprouting along the thallus .................................................... 3

- Attachment by rhizoids sprouting only from basal cells .............................................................................................. 4

3 Unicellular rhizoids originating from basal cells and sprouting from the proximal extremity of the cells when present along the main axis.................................................................................................................................... C. coelothrix

- Basal or hapteroidal rhizoids formed on the extremities of apical cells; unilateral ramification, with branches laterally inserted and separated by a cross wall; apical cells measuring (195–) 229.3 (–274) µm width, L/W (6–) 11 (–17)...................................................................................................................................................................... C. catenata

4 Thallus with abundant ramification, in only one plane, with opposite branches more or less equally developed; conical apical cells with tapered tip..................................................................................................................... C. ordinata

- Ramification in more than one plane............................................................................................................................ 5

5 Thallus stiff, sparsely branched, irregularly organized: apical cells with rounded tip................................ C. rupestris

- Thallus flaccid to slightly stiff, with acropetally organized branch systems, grass green to dark, abundant ramification .............................................................................................................................................................................. 6

6 Thallus up to 4.5 cm high, diameter of apical cells less than 50 µm........................................................................... 7

- Thallus up to 13 cm high; diameter of apical cells more than 50 µm....................................................... C. vagabunda

7 Long apical cells, with slightly rounded tips, with (28–) 36 (–42) µm wide, L/W (5–) 8 (–12)............... C. brasiliana

- Apical cells shorter ....................................................................................................................................................... 8

8 Thallus grass green, falcate to refract-falcate branch system; apical cells (30 –) 38 ( – 47) µm wide, L/W (3 –) 5 ( – 7) ..................................................................................................................................................................... C. dalmatica

- Thallus dark green, straight branches; apical cells with (24–) 30 (–35) µm wide, L/W (2–) 3 (–4) .... C. montagneana