Calliblepharis yasutakei M.O.Paiano & A.R.Sherwood, 2022

Paiano, Monica O., Fumo, James T., Cabrera, Feresa P., Kosaki, Randall K., Spalding, Heather L. & Sherwood, Alison R., 2022, Calliblepharis yasutakei sp. nov. and Hypnea tsudae sp. nov. (Cystocloniaceae, Rhodophyta): novel diversity from the Hawaiian Islands, Phytotaxa 572 (1), pp. 74-86 : 79-80

Calliblepharis yasutakei M.O.Paiano & A.R.Sherwood , sp. nov. ( Fig. 3 A-H)

Holotype: — U.S.A. Hawai‘i, Papahânaumokuâkea Marine National Monument, Kapou (Lisianski), 26.08363°N, 174.16647°W, 98 m depth, 30 July 2019, R. Kosaki (holotype BISH 783229 ; ARS 10483; field code NWHI-761).

Description: Thallus erect, delicate, pinkish-red when living, drying to dark red along the main axis and pink along some branches, slightly compressed, plant 3.8 cm tall × 2.6 cm wide ( Fig. 3A–B ), attached to the substratum by a small and inconspicuous holdfast. Thallus irregularly or dichotomously branched, at narrow angles, with branches up to 3.1 mm wide ( Fig. 3B ). Upper part of thallus sparsely branched; lacking anastomoses. Thallus organization uniaxial, apex consisting of a single apical cell ( Fig. 3C ). Surface view of cortical cells irregular to polygonal, 10–20 µm × 5–15 µm, with rosette cells weakly developed around the cortical cells ( Fig. 3D ). Pit-connections absent. Lenticular thickenings frequently observed in cortical cells ( Fig. 3E–F ). Cross sections 250–295 μm thick, with medulla consisting of one layer of large, rounded cells, 66.7–74.1 μm long, 85.2–92.6 μm wide, and one outer layer of pigmented, rounded to irregular small cells, 11.1–22.1 μm long, 7.4–22.2 μm wide ( Fig. 3G ). Central axial filament evident in surface view, consisting of elongate cells (arrows), 20–40 μm long × 8–15 μm wide, surrounded by 2–3 layers of medullary cells and one or two layers of rounded cortical cells. ( Fig. 3H ). Unicellular hairs not observed. Reproductive characters were not observed.

Etymology:— C. yasutakei is named in memory of Mr. Yumi Yasutake, a long-time educator and scientist for the Papahânaumokuâkea Marine National Monument. Through the use of algal pressings as a student activity, Yasutake shared his love of phycology, marine science, and Papahânaumokuâkea with legions of young people throughout the state of Hawai‘i.

Distribution and Habitat:— Known only from the type locality, at 98 m depth.

Identification using DNA sequence data:— GenBank accessions OL795915 (COI), OL795916 (rbc L) and OL828740 (SSU).

Figures

FIGURE 3. General morphology of Calliblepharis yasutakei sp. nov. (BISH 783229). A. The freshly collected holotype.B. Pressed holotype showing the small holdfast (arrow). C. Surface view of a branch apex showing the apical cell. D. Surface view showing weakly developed rosette cells (arrows) around medullary and cortical cells. E. Cross section showing lenticular thickening (arrow) in a cortical cell. F. Cross section of basal region of thallus showing lenticular thickenings in cortical cells (arrows). G. Cross section of a middle portion of the thallus. H. Surface view showing axial filament surrounded by medullary cells (arrows).