Helminthora anomala sp. nov. (Liagoraceae, Rhodophyta) from Puerto Rico

Abstract

A new species of Helminthora, H. anomala Vélez et Vega (Liagoraceae, Rhodophyta), is described from Puerto Rico. This new species has curved carpogonial branches in median positions on cortical fascicles, with dumbbell-shaped carpogonia, subsidiary cells forward from the supra supporting cell and terminal placement of spermatangia. Assignment to Helminthora is provisional as some characters of the new species differ from the rest of the species in the genus, but these are characteristics of other genera of the Liagoraceae. The new species differs from all other Helminthora species in being calcified, lacking rhizoids, and in the origin of subsidiary filaments from the supra supporting cell in addition to the infra supporting cell.