New species or forms of Melobesieae

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NEW SPECIES OR FORMS OF
Pe UBi STE AE

BY

M. FO SLIE

DET KGL. NORSKE VIDENSKABERS SELSKABS SKRIFTER. 1902. NO. 2

AKTIETRYKKERIET I TRONDHJEM
1902

‘

Lithothamnion phymatodeum Fosl. mscr.

Thallus crustlike, 1—2 mm. thick, with wart-like or irregular
excrescences; conceptacles of sporangia subprominent, 300—350 yu
in diameter. |

The species forms crusts on rocks in the upper sublitoral zone.
It shows a striking resemblance in habit to Phymatolithon poly-
morphum. 1 do not know the extent of the crust, as I have seen
but fragmentary pieces. It does not exceed 2 mm. in thickness,
and the excrescences are frequently rather irregular, in part however
rised in consequence on covering up extraneous objects.

The lower part of the thallus is destroyed by worms or other
animals and, therefore, also the greater part of the primary hypo-
thallic layer. New hypothallic formations are here and there met
with; the cells of these are elongated, up to about 18 » long,
forming ascending bows. The perithallic layer is composed of cells
which partly are square or almost square, 7—8 yp in diameter,
partly and more frequently vertically elongated, 9—11 or up to
14 » long and 6—9 yp broad. On a cross section is occasionally
to be seen alternating long and short cells.

Of reproductive organs only sporangia are known. The concep-
tacles are convex or almost disc-shaped, subprominent, 300—350
or up to 400 » in diameter seen from above, here and there
crowded or almost confluent. The roof is intersected with 30—40
muciferous canals which are crowded in the central part, the latter
often slightly depressed. This part most often gets dissolved at
maturity, sometimes the whole roof and, therefore, emptied con-
ceptacles appear seldom or only in part to be overgrown by new-
formed tissue. The sporangia are four-parted, about 100 » long
and 55 p thick with enduring interwalls.

4 M. FOSLIE. [1902

As remarked above the present species resembles Phymato-
lithon polymorphum in habit except with regard to the mentioned
reproductive organs. It stands nearest to Lithothamnion Sondert
and rather approaches certain forms of this species. On the other

hand it somewhat approaches forms of L. californicum which

Stick to an uneven substrat.
Occurrence. Pacific coast of North America: Puget Sound,
Whidbey Island, Wash., Setchell and Gardner, No. 653.

Lithothamnion Sonderi Hauck.

Meeresalg. p. 273.

f. pacifica Fosl. mscr.

Excrescences more dicidedly branchlike, cells sometimes larger
and conceptacles of sporangia less prominent than in the typical form.

Along the Pacific coast of North America an alga has been
found, which at first sight seems to be fully identic with the
European L. Sonderi. A closer comparison shows however, that
in the American form the crust frequently develops excrescences
which are more decidedly branchlike than in the other, although
there appear specimens in both tracts which in this respect fully
resemble each other. Besides the said form differs a little in structure,

the cells on a cross section of the crust here and there being

slightly larger than in the typical form of the species. The con-
ceptacles of sporangia lie a little deeper and therefore often being
less prominent than in European specimens, with most often thicker
roof. Therefore I consider this form a separate one and propose
to name it f. pacifica. It may however be remarked, that cysto-
carps are not yet known in the latter. In the typical form these
organs appear in other specimens than the sporangia, but it is
unknown whether so also being the case in f. pacifica, or whether
the conceptacles are of the same shape.

The present form on the one side rather approaches L. rugo-
sum f. crassiuscula in habit. 1 have seen but a fragmentary spe-
cimen of the latter form which perhaps represents a Separate species,

however at any rate more nearly connected with L. rugosum than

L. Sonderi. The form in question on the other hand sometimes

No. 2] NEW SPECIES OR FORMS OF MELOBESIEAE. 5

————

reminds one in habit of young specimens of a form of L. glaciale
appearing in shallow water. Besides it now and then approaches
L. phymatodeum in habit and even in regard to the conceptacles
of sporangia.

Occurrence. California: Pacific Grove, in low pools, Setchell,
No. 1595 and 1596; Duxbury Reef, Marin County, in small pools
in the rocks, Setchell, No. 1074 in part; and Puget Sound: Channel
Rocks near Seattle, Wash., Setchell and Gardner, No. 654
in part.

Lithothamnion californicum Fosl.

Five new calc. Alg. p. 3.

f. microspora Fosl. mscr.

Conceptacles of sporangia 200—300 p in diameter seen from
above, occasionally not raised above the surface of the frond.

The present species is shown to be rather varying and appears
in two different forms rather analogous. to Lathothamnion laeve
f. macrospora and f. tens, partly with large partly with small
conceptacles of sporangia. The above f. mzcrospora characterizes
itself especially thereby, that the conceptacles of sporangia seen
from above are 200—300 p in diameter, thus smaller than in the
typical form. They are partly subprominent partly not raised above
the surface of the frond, in the latter case at least often caused
thereby, that the sporangia for some reason are proportionally
more slowly developed than the vegative part of the plant, such
as now and then to be seen also in other species.

The species stands between L. magellanicum and L. tenuis-
simum, being very nearly related especially to the latter. It seems
even to be a question whether this species ought to be considered.
specificaliy distinct from the last named one, which till now is
known only from the west coast of Africa. In habit it sometimes~
much reminds one of L. laeve.

Occurrence. The form microspora known from Pacific Beach
near San Diego, California, collected by Mrs. E. Snyder, comm.
Mr. F. S. Collins; the typical form is met with in different places
_ along the Pacific coast of America and northward to Puget Sound,

6 M. FOSLIE. aa [1902 -

Channel Rocks near Seattle, Wash, here anastomosed with L.
Sondert f. pacifica (Setchell and Gardner, No. 654 in part).

Lithothamnion conchatum Setch. et Fosl. mscr.

Thallus forming plane or arching discs 0.5—1.5 cm. in diameter
on Cheilosporum; conceptacles of sporangia subprominent, 0.7—1
mm., conceptacles of cystocarps subhemispheric-conical, 0.6—0.9
mm. in diameter. |

If the hostplant, Cheilosporum, do not grow in too dense and
irregular tufts and the species thereby being allowed to develop itself
freely, it forms more or less plane and orbicular, about 0:5 mm.
thick discs, partly shallowly undulating, partly not, and now and
then feebly crenate. The plant is attached to the host in the lower
central part, and in the free lower part most often being concentric
zonate. The margin is sometimes and most frequently bent a little
downwards, sometimes however upwards. This is what may be
considered the typical form of the species. Often, however, more
crusts are founded close to each other, become at length confluent
and form clustered, more or less imbricate crustcomplexes over
some branches of the host, partly attached with the whole lower
part, partly here and there free, or, not seldom, more or less arching
crusts form almost similar’crustcomplexes nearly surrounding certain
parts of the hostplant. Now and then a crust becomes propor-
tionally thick and lumpy, up to 1.5 mm. in thickness, or almost
square or angular, occasionally even with a short stalk. |

A median section of a typically developed crust shows, that
it is attached to the host with a rather feebly developed, coaxillate
hypothallic layer, the latter sending forth perithallic rows of cells
which are square, 9—15 p in diameter, or more frequently verti-
cally elongated, 12—24 » long and 9—18 p broad. In the freely
developed part of the crust the hypothallic layer is frequently more
vigorously developed, composed of cells which are most often
20—40 p» long, and sends forth upwards perithallic rows corre-
sponding with the mentioned ones, but in somewhat thick crusts
even downwards too.

The conceptacles of sporangia are crowded over the whole

No. 2] NEW SPECIES OR FORMS OF MELOBESIEAE. 7

thallus except a narrow peripherical portion. They are frequently
subprominent, flattened subhemispheric, 0.7—1 mm. in diameter
seen from above, and the roof is intersected with about 80 muci-
ferous canals. The sporangia are four-parted and very large,
250—350 p» long and and 100—150 w broad. The conceptacles
of cystocarps also are crowded, often so densely that they become
angular, subhemispheric-conical, 0.6—0.9 mm. in diameter seen from
above. In thick and lumpy specimens they are exceptionally even
developed in the lower part of the frond.

The roof of the conceptacles of sporangia appears frequently
to get dissolved at maturity and the scars filled by new formed
tissue especially in thin crusts. Sometimes however the concep-
tacles become in part overgrown even before the sporangia are
mature, and at length fully overgrown, but the sporangia are then
as a rule escaped. The conceptacles of cystocarps seem to be
Overgrown in the same proportion as the former, sometimes also
these in part before the spores are mature, become however fre-
quently emptied before fully overgrown. Such emptied and nearly
Overgrown conceptacles sometimes look, as if they had not or
scarcely been raised above the surface of the frond, as the orifices
now and then do not become covered before several layers of
tissue are formed over the conceptacles, and therefore on a section
appearing rather elongated. This however occasionally takes place
also in other species.

The plant stands between L. Patena and L. lichenoides, in
some respects forming an almost intermediate link between both,
sometimes much resembling the former in habit, sometimes however
rather differing.

Occurrence. Pacific coast of North America: Monterey, Cali-
fornia, W. A. Setchell; and Port Renfrew (Port San Juan),
Vancouver Island, B. C. on Cheilosporum frondescens between tide
marks, collected by Mr. K. Yendo of Tokyo.

Goniolithon mamillare (Harv.) Fosl.
Melobesia mamillaris Harv. Ner. Austr. p. 111.

f, litoralis Fosl. mscr.

8 M. FOSLIE. 3 [1902

Thallus 0.5—1 cm. thick, forming crusts on rocks, with irre-
gularly wartlike or short branchlike, knotty, more or less crowded
excrescences.

As remarked in a pamplet in press!) I have considered a cal-
careous alga from the Pacific coast of North America to be a stunted
form of G. Brassica-florida (Harv.), being on the other hand un-
certain whether the latter and G. mamullare are anything more
than forms of one and the same species. 1 am still uncertain
whether these species in fact are specifically distinct, as only rather
young specimens of G. mamillare are known, a species which at
any rate is closely connected with G. Brassica-florida. 1 am
certainly most inclined to consider both identic, but at present |
do not venture to unite them. So also in regard to the above f.
litoralis. JI have seen but fragmentary and rather small pieces of
this form, which seems to be rather varying. Besides the concep-
tacles are emptied in the fertile pieces seen and, therefore, I am
not quite sure of the nature of the reproductive organs and want
to call attention to this form, although I am scarcely of any doubt
at all in regard to its relation to the one or other of the said spe-
cies. I refer it here to G. mamullare on account of the fact, that
the latter with certainty is known only from America, where on
the other hand any typical specimen of G. Brassica-florida has
not yet been met with. 7

The branchlike excrescences in f. lztoralis are a little thinner
than in the typical form, partly rather densely crowded or
almost confluent, partly somewhat scattered and then more
irregular in shape and thickness. The conceptacles are often
smaller than in G. Brassica-florida, but otherwise agreeing in
shape.

Occurrence. California: Point Fermin, San Pedro in hol-
lows near highwater mark, Prof. Setchell, No. 1147; and
Pacific Beach near San Diego, Mrs. E. Snyder, commie
SCollimne:

1) Die Lithothamnien des Adriatischen Meeres und Marokkos. — Wissensch.
Mesresuntersuchungen. Abt. Helgoland.

No. 2] NEW SPECIES OR FORMS OF MELOBESIEAE. 9

Melobesia (Heteroderma) coronata Rosan.

Melob. p. 64.

f. zonata Fosl. mscr.

Thallus forming orbicular or slg doen concentric zonated
crusts on Lenormandia. Conceptacles subconical or conical, partly
150—200 p#, partly 250—300 yp in diameter seen from above.

According to a young authentic specimen of MW. coronata in
my collection, the above plant appears to be so nearly related to
the said species that it scarcely may be considered more than a
form of it. The species is as yet but little known, especially with
regard to tendency of variation, and I do not yet exactly know
its structure. The form zonata differs in the surface being more
or less distinctly concentric zonate, and the crust somewhat thicker.
Besides, according to Rosanoff’s description |. c. the basal cells
seem to be a little shorter in the said form than in the typical one,
and often with thicker walls. On a cross section of f. zonata the
cells are frequently square or rounded, about 6—12 p in diameter,
now however with the longest diameter in horizontal now in vertical
direction. The crust consists in the peripherical portions of a single
layer of cells with rather small cortical ones. It becoms thicker
towards the centre, where it is composed of at least up to four
layers of cells, perhaps even more in older crusts than that exa- .
mined by me.

There are to be found two kinds of conceptacles. A few-ones
examined were empty. The one kind, the largest conceptacles,
are conical or nearly so, 250—300 yp in diameter seen from above
and probably identic with the cystocarpic ones described by Ro-
sanoffl.c. ‘The other and smaller conceptacles are subconical,
150—200 p» in diameter seen from above, being however uncertain
whether those of sporangia or perhaps antheridia.

The form in question is attached to Lenormandia spectabils,
here forming solitary crusts up to nearly 1 cm. in diameter, or
frequently smaller ones which partly anastomose.

Occurrence. Hitherto only known from Port Elliot, South
Australia, collected by Miss Brumsert and kindly communicated
to me by Mr. Reinbold.

10 M. FOSLIE. [1902

Melobesia (Heteroderma) marginata Setch. et Fosl. mscr.

Thallus forming orbicular crusts, at length extended patches on
other algae, 50—100 p thick; conceptacles of sporangia crowded,
convex or subconical, 150—200 yp in diameter.

The plant at first forms small orbicular or sometimes rather
irregular, purplish crusts on other algae. These crusts by and by
anastomose and at length form extended patches almost covering
certain parts of the frond of Gymnogongrus linearis or Lawrencia
pinnatifida. Steril specimens probably belonging to the same spe-
cies have also been met with on Odonthala dentata. The crust
is 50—100 p thick and composed of at least up to 9 layer of
cells. The basal cells are almost square or, more frequently, verti-
cally elongated, up to 12 » long and 5—8 p» broad. The upper cells
on a section are square or somewhat rounded, 6—8 } in diameter,
or vertically elongated, up to 10 » long, occasionally forming short
rows with the longest diameter in horizontal direction. The cortical
cells are smaller. The cellwalls are frequently rather thick.

The conceptacles of sporangia are densely crowded almost
over the whole frond, often so densely that the roofs partly ana-
stomose, sometimes however forming small groups as in Melobesia
Cymodoceae. They are convex but little prominent, or subconical,
.150—200 p in diameter seen from above. The sporangia are four-
parted, 50-60 p long and 25—30 yp broad.

Dried specimens of this species with emptied conceptacles some-
what resemble Lithothamnion corticiforme in habit. On the other
hand the species approaches Melob. zostericola and M. Cymodoceae.

Occurrence. Pacific coast of North America: Bodega Bay,
California, on Gymnogongrus and Laurencia; and Whidbey Island,
Wash., on Laurencia pinnatifida, and in the same locality on
Odonthalia (steril), Setchell and Gardner, Algae of Puget
Sound No. 269, 270.

Melobesia (Eumelobesia) rugulosa Setch. et Fosl. mscr.

Thallus monostromatic exsept in the neighbourhood of the
conceptacles, without cortical cells. Conceptacles of sporangia ©
subconical, 120—150 yp in diameter.

4
—”? CC “il

No. 2] NEW SPECIES OR FORMS OF MELOBESIEAE. 1]

This species forms minute crusts of indefinite shape which
by and by anastomose, at length forming irregular rose-coloured
or purplish patches on Stenogramme. The margin is frequently
-crenulate. The plant consits of a single layer of cells except in
the neighbourhood of the conceptacles, and do not possess cortical
cells. Seen from above the cells are 7—12 » long and 5—7 p
broad. On a section they are shown to be square with rounded
Geeners, 5—S / in diameter.

The conceptacles of sporangia are subconical, 120—150 p in
diameter seen from above, partly scattered partly rather crowded.
The sporangia are four-parted, about 40 » long and 25 yp broad.

The present species somewhat reminds one in habit of Melo-
besia zonalis, being however more delicate. Otherwise it seems
to stand nearest to MW. Novae Zelandiae, the latter however only
known from a rather incomplete description.

Occurrence. Santa Monica, California, collected by Sarah
P. Monks.

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