Obliquicauda longipens sp. nov. and Obliquicauda xianninga sp. nov.: two new species of foliicolous algae from China

Abstract

Obliquicauda belongs to the Choricystis/Botryococcus clade (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta). The establishment of this genus was predicated on phylogenetic analyses and the distinctive morphology characteristics, slightly asymmetrical and fusiform vegetative cells with a tail-like stalk tilting to one side. Two different pure cultured Obliquicauda-like strains obtained from a living Ficus pumila L. leaf were deeply investigated in this study. Based on the significant morphological differences (cell length, width, L:W ratio, and stalk length), the results of phylogenetic analyses relying on 18S and rbcL markers, and the genetic distances of the 18S and rbcL genes, these two strains were conclusively identified as novel additions to Obliquicauda, O. longipens sp. nov., and O. xianninga sp. nov.