Ericaria crinita (Duby) Molinari & Guiry, 2020

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 crinita (Duby) Molinari & Guiry

Fig. 13A-C

Cystoseira crinita Duby. Basionym.

Cystoseira granulata Schousboe, Fucus crinitus Desfontaines, Carpodesmia crinita (Duby) Orellana & Sansón. Synonyms.

Morphology of specimens from Pantelleria.

E. crinita is a caespitose species, adhering to the substrate by an irregular discoid holdfast, from which several cylindrical and knotted axes are issued. The apices are protruding and covered by spinose appendages. Primary branches are cylindrical, with a pyramidal habit. Higher order branches are cylindrical, thin, more or less twisted and usually devoid of spines. During the monitoring activities, this species was found fertile. Receptacles are borne on terminal branchlets; they are compact, cylindrical, swollen, single or once branched, usually without spiny appendages.

Habitat.

This species was observed during snorkelling activities at Martingana and Arenella, in shallow (0.5-3 m) and sheltered habitats.

Distribution.

This species is widespread in the Mediterranean Sea and Canary Islands ( Blanfuné et al. 2022).

Remarks.

This species was found by Giaccone et al. (1972) in several sites of the island. Subsequently, it was not reported by Alongi et al. (2004). Our record seems to suggest that E. crinita might be in a phase of recovery and expansion on the island. According to Neiva et al. (2022), this entity is part of the Ericaria crinita complex, which includes samples identified as E. crinita , E. barbatula and E. giacconei .

Figures

Figure 13. Ericaria crinita A habit B detail of receptacles C detail of prominent apex with spinose appendages.