Botryocladia chiajeana and Botryocladia macaronesica sp. nov. (Rhodymeniaceae, Rhodophyta) from the Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic, with a discussion on the closely related genus Irvinea.

Copyright © 2006 International Phycological Society. Specimens from the eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Adriatic seas previously reported as Botryocladia chiajeana showed differences in morphology, and re-examination of Meneghini's original collection of Chrysymenia chiajeana (basionym B. chiajeana) revealed that only the Mediterranean and Adriatic specimens are in agreement with the original protologue, whereas plants reported from the eastern Atlantic are recognised here as Botryocladia macaronesica Afonso-Carrillo, Sobrino, Tittley & Neto sp. nov. The vegetative and reproductive morphology of western Mediterranean plants is examined in detail for the first time, and B. chiajeana is c…