Ericaria barbatula ( Kuetzing ) Molinari & Guiry, 2020

Marletta, Giuliana & Lombardo, Andrea, 2023, The Fucales (Ochrophyta, Phaeophyceae) of the Island of Pantelleria (Sicily Channel, Mediterranean Sea): a new contribution, Italian Botanist 15, pp. 137-163 : 137

Ericaria barbatula ( Kuetzing) Molinari & Guiry

Fig. 10A, B, C, D

Cystoseira barbatula Kützing. Basionym.

Cystoseira graeca Schiffner ex Gerloff & Nizamuddin, Carpodesmia barbatula ( Kützing) Orellana & Sansón. Synonyms.

Morphology of specimens from Pantelleria.

E. barbatula is caespitose, attached to the substrate by an irregular basal disc, from which several cylindrical, thin and blackish axes take origin. The axes are tuberculate for the presence of basal stumps of the fallen primary branches. The apices are strongly prominent and smooth. Primary and higher order branches are cylindrical. During the monitoring activities, this species was found fertile. The receptacles are borne on the apical parts of branchlets and are compact, tuberculate; they can bear 1-2 spinose appendages.

Habitat.

E. barbatula was observed during snorkelling in shallow environments (from 0.5 to 3 m of depth) along sheltered and moderately exposed coasts at Bue Marino, Kattibuale, Martingana, Scauri, Kuddie Rosse and Arenella.

Distribution.

Cyprus, Greece, Libya, Malta, Italy and Tunisia ( Blanfuné et al. 2022).

Remarks.

Comparing our data with the study by Alongi et al. (2004), this species appears to have expanded its distribution along the island since then. According to Neiva et al. (2022), this entity falls in the Ericaria crinita complex, which includes samples identified as E. crinita , E. barbatula and E. giacconei D. Serio & G. Furnari.

Figures

Figure 10. Ericaria barbatula A branches with fertile receptacles) B habit C, D prominent and smooth apex.