Ericaria cf. dubia (Valiante) Neiva & Serrao, 2022

Marletta, Giuliana & Lombardo, Andrea, 2023, The Fucales (Ochrophyta, Phaeophyceae) of the Island of Pantelleria (Sicily Channel, Mediterranean Sea): a new contribution, Italian Botanist 15, pp. 137-163 : 137

Ericaria cf. dubia (Valiante) Neiva & Serrao

Fig. 12A-C

Cystoseira dubia Valiante. Basionym.

Morphology of specimens from Pantelleria.

In the examined specimens, the holdfast could not be observed in detail because it was sunken in coarse gravel. The axes are creeping on the substrate and issue on the upper side erect primary branches in which two portions can be recognized: a cylindrical basal one and a flattened and ribbon-like upper one. Primary branches are distichous, without spinose appendages, with an entire margin and an evident midrib. During the monitoring this species was not found reproductive.

Habitat.

Ericaria cf. dubia was observed during scuba dives at Punta Spadillo and Cala Levante, at 40 and 35 m depth, respectively.

Distribution.

This species is distributed in the Adriatic Sea, Greece, Italy, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and Middle East ( Blanfuné et al. 2022).

Remarks.

The identification at species level was not certain because we did not manage to observe the holdfast, apex and receptacles of this entity.

Figures

Figure 12. Ericaria cf. dubia A, B habit C detail of flattened branches with distichous disposal and an evident midrib.