Molecular analysis resolves the taxonomy of the Laurencia complex (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales) in Bermuda and uncovers novel species of Chondrophycus and Laurenciella Author Popolizio, Thea R. Department of Biology, Salem State University, Salem, Massachusetts, 01970 (United States) tpopolizio @ salemstate. edu (corresponding author) Author Schneider, Craig W. Author Jongbloed, Walter M. Department of Biology, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, 06106 (United States) Author Saunders, Gary W. Centre for Environmental & Molecular Algal Research, Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E 3 B 5 A 3 (Canada) Author Lane, Christopher E. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, 02881 (United States) text Cryptogamie, Algologie 2022 2022-01-26 20 1 1 30 http://dx.doi.org/10.5252/cryptogamie-algologie2022v43a1 journal article 10.5252/cryptogamie-algologie2022v43a1 1776-0984 Chondrophycus planiparvus Popolizio, C.W.Schneider & C.E.Lane , sp. nov. ( Fig. 5 ) HOLOTYPE . — T.R. Popolizio / C.W. Schneider 12-40-13 (BDA0934), 13.III.2012 , Gurnet Rock , mouth of Castle Harbour , Bermuda , western Atlantic Ocean , 32°20’22.7”N , 64°39’44.8”W , depth 13 m [deposited in UNB ]; iso- , MICH [ TRP 12-40-12 (BDA0933)]. HOLOTYPE DNA BARCODE . — GenBank OK209884, COI-5P; OK209859, rbc L. PARATYPES . — Bermuda . CWS/CEL 09-30-9, 19.III.2009 , Gurnet Rock , loc. cit ., 32°20’20.2”N , 64°39’32.1”W , depth 16-17 m ; TRP/ CWS 12-148-6 [BDA1625], 5.XI.2012 , wreck of the Pelinaion , north shore Bermuda I., 32°21’20.9”N , 64°38’36.9”W , depth 18 m ; TRP/CWS 12-160-8 [BDA1741], 1.XII.2012 , wreck of the Hermes , south shore Bermuda I., 32°14’42.4”N , 64°48’00.1”W , depth 23 m . ETYMOLOGY . — From the Latin, describing the typical habit of this flattened (‘ planus ’) and relatively small (‘ parvus ’) species. DISTRIBUTION . — Endemic to Bermuda as presently known. SEASONALITY . — Collected from November to March in Bermuda . DESCRIPTION Plants to 2 cm high, distinctly compressed, rosy-red, cartilaginous ( Fig. 5 A-D); main axes to 2 mm diam. with one or more arising from discoidal holdfasts; branching irregular to opposite or alternate, with branch apices sometimes appearing trifurcated ( Fig. 5B, D ); branchlets to 2 mm in diam. Vegetative axes with 2 pericentral cells; cortical cells arranged longitudinally in surface view ( Fig. 5E, H ), secondary pit connections abundant ( Fig. 5G, H ). In transverse section, non-palisade outer cortical cells, obtriangulate to obovate, with constrictions at the base ( Fig. 5G ), 12-35 µm diam. and 9-27 µm long, some acute projections present at branch apices in surface view; outer cortical cells ovoid in upper branch regions, irregularly angular and elongated below, 9-55 µm diam. and 20-100 µm long ( Fig. 5H ); lenticular thickenings absent in the walls of medullary cells. Extensive trichoblasts emerging from shallow apical pits ( Fig. 5F ), dichotomously branched, to 600 µm long. Tetrasporangia forming at apices, slightly ovoid, arranged at right angles to the axis ( Saito 1967: 71 ), 43-68 µm diam. and 48-96 µm long ( Fig. 5I ). Gametangia not found.