Pyropia bajacaliforniensis L.E. Aguilar Rosas & J.R. Hughey, 2015

Lindstrom, Sandra C., Hughey, Jeffery R. & Rosas, Luis E. Aguilar, 2015, Four new species of Pyropia (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) from the west coast of North America: the Pyropia lanceolata species complex updated, PhytoKeys 52, pp. 1-22 : 6-7

Pyropia bajacaliforniensis L.E. Aguilar Rosas & J.R. Hughey sp. nov. Fig. 5

Description.

Thalli broadly lanceolate to ovate, sometimes irregularly lobed, base becoming cordate with age; 45-115 mm thick; 1-5 cm wide to at least 15 cm long; monostromatic, with one or two chloroplasts per cell; margin ruffled, often irregular in outline; color pale dusky pink (in California) or lilac gray (Baja California). Monoecious. Spermatangial packets 4 × 4 × 8, cream-colored, variable in shape, mostly marginal in distal portion of thalli but sometimes forming submarginal streaks. Zygotosporangial packets 2-4 × 2-4 × 2-4, appearing as small pinkish speckles because of intermixing of reproductive and vegetative cells. Habitat: upper intertidal rock. Phenology: late winter to late spring. Distinguished from other species of Pyropia by unique rbc L and 18S rRNA gene sequences.

Holotype.

Upper intertidal rock, Playa Saldamando, Baja California, Mexico (31°55.60'N 116°45.30'W), L.E. Aguilar Rosas & R. Aguilar Rosas 764, 21 May 2002, UC 1966778. GenBank sequences HQ687535 (rbc L), DQ084424, DQ084425 (SSU).

Isotypes.

UC 1966778, UBC A90700.

Etymology.

The specific epithet refers to the provenance of the type material, where it is especially abundant in spring.

Distribution.

Moss Landing, California, USA; Playa Saldamando and Faro de San Miguel, Baja California, Mexico.

Figures

Figure 5. Holotype of Pyropia bajacaliforniensis. Playa Saldamando, Baja California, Mexico, L. E. Aguilar Rosas & R. Aguilar Rosas 764, 21 May 2002, UC 1966778. Scale bar 2.5 cm.