DNA sequencing reveals three new species of <i>Chamberlainium</i> (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from South Africa, all formerly passing under <i>Spongites yendoi</i>
Courtney A. Puckree‐Padua, Paul W. Gabrielson, Gavin W. Maneveldt
Abstract
Abstract Three new non-geniculate coralline algal species from South Africa are described that were passing under the misapplied name, Spongites yendoi . Based on plastid encoded DNA sequences from psb A and rbc L markers, these species belong in the subfamily Chamberlainoideae. The DNA sequences, supported by the morpho-anatomical character of tetrasporangial conceptacle roof development, placed all three species in the genus Chamberlainium and not Pneophyllum , the only other genus in Chamberlainoideae. In addition to the diagnostic DNA sequences, Chamberlainium capense sp. nov . , C. glebosum sp. nov. and Chamberlainium occidentale sp. nov. may be distinguished by a combination of habit, habitat, geographic distribution, and several morpho-anatomical features. Biogeographically all three species are found in the Benguela Marine Province of South Africa, with C. occidentale being the most widespread. Chamberlainium glebosum also has a wide, but disjunct distribution and C. capense is another South African endemic non-geniculate coralline, whose range is restricted to a 43 km stretch of coastline. Thus far, DNA sequences from type specimens of non-geniculate corallines show that only those species whose type localities are from South Africa are correctly applied; all other non-geniculate coralline names are likely misapplied in South Africa.