Studies on the Marine Algae of Hsisha Islands, China I. Ganonema gen. nov.

Fan Kung-Chu, Wang Yung-Chuan

Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:1974-10-18 Published:1974-10-18
Contact: Fan Kung-Chu

Abstract:

The reproductive feature of the nemalionalean genus Liagora is characterized by

the laterally situated carpogonial branch which is produced by the ordinarily assi-

milative filament. A study of L. farinosa Lamx. has revealed that the carpogonial

branches of this species are not borne on the ordinarily assimilative filaments but

restricted to a kind of short filaments (referring to as “fertile filaments” in the

present article) which are, in turn, initiated by the basal cells of the assimilative

filaments. The carpogonial branches are modified furcations of the fertile filaments.

The fertile filaments may, however, grow and send out assimilative filaments concur-

rently with the maturation of the carpogonial branches. Therefore, the origin of the

carpogonial branches is best shown in their younger developing stages but more or

less obscure in age.

Boergesen, who examined Lamouroux's type, made a detailed study of L. farinosa

from the Canary Islands. The depictions given by Boergesen, Yamada (1938, f. 15),

Tseng (1941, f. 6) and Umezaki (1961, f. lA) concisely illustrated the feature of the

fertile filaments in this species, although all these workers had not envisaged the

taxonomical significance of the peculiar position of the female organs. In our opin-

ion, the differentiation of cortical filaments into assimilative and reproductive as seen

in L. farinosa (even though in a preliminary stage) suggests that the progressive

evolutionary changes have occurred in this species. The unique situation of L. fari-

nosa is, in fact, no parallel in any genus of the, family where female organs are

directly produced (or transformed) by the assimilative filaments.

It thus appears there is no justification for retaining L. farinosa in the genus

Liagora. A new genus, Ganonema Fan et Wang gen. nov. is therefore proposed

for accommodating the species, G. farinosa (Lamx.) Fan et Wang comb. nov.

Fan Kung-Chu, Wang Yung-Chuan. Studies on the Marine Algae of Hsisha Islands, China I. Ganonema gen. nov.[J]. .

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