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Electronic Flora of South Australia Species Fact Sheet

Chondria subsecunda Gordon-Mills & Womersley 1987: 511, figs 8C, 10A–F.

Phylum Rhodophyta – Family Rhodomelaceae – Tribe Chondrieae

Thallus (Fig. 190A) light red, 6–10 cm high, with 2–4 (–5) terete erect axes bearing laterals mainly on one side, 1–6 mm apart, with further (third order) mainly adaxial laterals usually present; axes 1–2 mm in diameter, lesser laterals 500–700 µm in diameter. Holdfast discoid, 1–2 mm across; epiphytic (on Acrocarpia). Structure. Apices depressed to rounded, with mature epidermal cells 25–50 µm in diameter and L/D 1.5–3.5, axis with few rhizoids (Fig. 190C) and sometimes a slight secondary cortex. Cell wall thickenings (Fig. 190B) occur as 1–2 circular bands on pericentral and inner cortical cells, becoming massive and lobed or joined in lowermost axes. Cells with discoid to elongate rhodoplasts, chained in larger cells.

Reproduction: Gametophytes dioecious. Procarps not observed. Carposporophytes with a basal fusion cell and much branched gonimoblast with clavate terminal carposporangia 40–75 µm in diameter. Cystocarps (Fig. 190D) ovoid, subsessile, 1–1.5 mm in diameter, with a basal swelling but not a spur; pericarp broadly ostiolate, 2 cells thick, ecorticate. Spermatangial plates (Fig. 190E) discoid, 350–500 µm across, with a sterile margin 1 (–2) cells broad.

Tetrasporangia (Fig. 190F) in lesser branchlets, borne adaxially on (1–) 2–3 pericentrals per axial cell, 90–180 µm in diameter.

Type from Warrnambool, Vic. on Acrocarpia, drift (Kraft, 10.vii.1984); holotype in MELU, K7587, isotypes MELU, K7589 and AD, A56591.


Distribution map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of SA

Distribution: Known only from the type locality and Port MacDonnell, S. Aust., on Acrocarpia, drift (G. & L. Kraft, 30.x.1986; MELU, and AD, A56844).

Taxonomic notes: Chondria subsecunda is still known only from the above two collections. It is an elegant species distinguished by the largely secund branching.

References:

GORDON-MILLS, E.M. & WOMERSLEY, H.B.S. (1987). The genus Chondria C. Agardh (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) in southern Australia. Aust. J. Bot. 35, 477–565.

The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia Part IIID complete list of references.

Publication: Womersley, H.B.S. (24 February, 2003)
The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia
Rhodophyta. Part IIID. Ceramiales – Delesseriaceae, Sarcomeniaceae, Rhodomelaceae
Reproduced with permission from The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia Part IIID 2003, by H.B.S. Womersley. Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra. Copyright Commonwealth of Australia.


Illustration in Womersley Part IIIA, 2003: FIG. 190.

Figure 190 image

Figure 190   enlarge

Fig. 190. Chondria subsecunda (A, B, F, AD, A56591; C–E, AD, A56844). A. Habit. B. Transverse section of young branch with wall thickenings in pericentral cells. C. Transverse section of older branch. D. Cystocarp. E. Spermatangial plate. F. Tetrasporangial branches.


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