Chondria viticulosa sp. nov. (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta), a distinctly flattened species from south-eastern Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Chondria viticulosa Millar & Wynne is a diminutive, prostrate, flattened epiphyte on the green alga Halimeda discoidea Decaisne, which grows on coral reefs at Caloundra, Queensland. Plants at maturity reach lengths of only 13 mm, and all axes have acute, exserted apices. Lateral branches have constricted bases and arise submarginally from both ventral and dorsal surfaces of parental axes. Male and female/ cystocarpic plants are described. The characters used to define the subgenus Platychondria are discussed, and the continued recognition of the subgenus is supported.