Caloglossa fluviatilis Krayesky, Fredericq & J.N.Norris (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) from Bataan province, Luzon Island, Philippines, a new country record

Abstract

Caloglossa fluviatilis is one of the least known freshwater algal species of its genus, having been reported from its type locality in Pedro Miguel, Republic of Panama, and Chalakkudy and Periyar Rivers in the State of Kerala, India. This study presents a new locality record of the species from Bataan province on the island of Luzon, Philippines. C. fluviatilis is characterised by having (1) a thallus having a width at the internode region narrower than 1.0 mm, (2) moderate development of adventitious secondary branches at the node, and (3) fewer than eight rhizoidal filaments arising from pericentral cells at the node. Indeed, this Philippine population of C. fluviatilis has helped fill the gaps and extended the distribution of the species to the western Pacific region. Further studies and reassessment of freshwater Caloglossa specimens will contribute to further understanding of these little-known genus members.