Electronic Flora of South Australia Species Fact Sheet

Colpomenia ecuticulata Parsons 1982: 297, figs 8–10, 15.

Phylum Phaeophyta – Order Scytosiphonales – Family Scytosiphonaceae

Thallus (Fig. 107C) light to medium brown, sessile, 5–25 (–50) cm across and 5–35 cm high, irregularly globose or broadly lobed, membranous, hollow, probably largely epiphytic. Structure (Fig. 108J) of larger, clear, inner medullary cells, 3–4 cells thick, and a cortex 1–2 cells thick of small, isodiametric cells 8–16 (–20) µm across in surface view, each with a single phaeoplast and pyrenoid; phaeophycean hairs in scattered groups, 6–10 µ in diameter.

Reproduction: Sori (Fig. 1081) elongate, becoming reticulate and covering most of the surface, not directly associated with hair groups:without an overall cuticular membrane. Plurilocular reproductive organs (Fig. 108J,K) usually biseriate, 18–25 µm and 3–5 locules long, 7–9 µm in diameter, with usually 4 rows per cortical cell, accompanied by numerous, scattered, paraphyses, each of 1–2 cells, 25–35 µm long and 10–16 µm in diameter, slightly clavate to oblong with an isodiametric to subglobose terminal cell L/B 1–1.3.

Type from Omaha Bay, Takatu (Tawharanui) Peninsula, North I., New Zealand; in CHR, 357286.

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

Distribution: Known from the type and from the Three Kings Islands, N.Z.

In southern Australia, known from Port MacDonnell, S. Aust., drift (Womersley, 15.v.1982; ADU, A53175-"Marine Algae of southern Australia" No. 262; and 17.v.1983; ADU, A54513).

Taxonomic notes: The abundant 1982 Port MacDonnell collection was recognised as C. ecuticulata by Parsons. The specimens agree well with the type in soral characters, but are much larger plants.

References:

PARSONS, M.J. (1982). Colpomenia (Endlicher) Derbés & Solier (Phaeophyta) in New Zealand. N.Z. J. Bot. 20, 289–301.

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

Author: H.B.S. Womersley

Publication: Womersley, H.B.S. (14 December, 1987)
The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia
Part II
©Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, Government of South Australia

Illustration in Womersley Part II, 1997: FIGS 107C, 1081-K.

Figure 107   enlarge

Fig. 107. A. Colpomenia sinuosa (ADU, A51846). B. Colpomenia peregrina (ADU, A51387). C. Colpomenia ecuticulata (ADU, A53175).

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