The marine algae of Lord Howe Island (NSW) the family Solieriaceae (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta)

Abstract

The red algal family Solieriaceae is represented by the three genera Solieria, Meristotheca and Eucheuma at Lord Howe Island (31°33'S.,159°05'E.). Each genus is represented by two species, one of which is widespread geographically and the other newly described. The new species (Solieria anastomosa, Eucheuma deformans, Meristotheca procumbens) are characterized vegetatively and reproductively, as are the three previously described species [Solieria robusta (Greville) Kylin, Eucheuma serra (J. Agardh) J. Agardh, Meristotheca papulosa (Montagne) J. Agardh]. Mychodea halymenioides Zanardini, which is based on a Lord Howe specimen, is placed in synonymy with Meristotheca papulosa. Partly as a result of the Lord Howe study, the Solieriaceae is recircumscribed using a suite of characters that is taxonomically more useful than that currently delimiting the family.