The South American species of Desmarestia (Phaeophyceae)

Abstract

The South American species of Desmarestia are revised using morphological features of field sporophytes and reproductive and ontogenetic characters obtained from laboratory culture of gametophytes and young sporophytes. Ten entities including a new species are recognized: D. chordalis, D. confervoides comb.nov., D. distans, D. firma, D. gayana, D. ligulata, D. muelleri sp.nov., D. patagonica, D. peruviana, and D. tropica. Although the taxa were distinguished in part using features of the life history in culture, most field thalli can be identified using morphological characters. A key to the South American species of Desmarestia is provided. Key words: culture study, Desmarestia, Desmarestia confervoides comb.nov., Desmarestia muelleri sp.nov., Phaeophyceae, South America, taxonomy.