Gayliella nanaoensis sp. nov. (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta) from China

Abstract

ABSTRACT Because morphological variation in Gayliella species is extensive, a molecular-assisted taxonomic approach is essential for accurate species identification. In China, six Gayliella species have been recorded, but no molecular-assisted identification has been used. In this study, we used detailed morphological analyses combined with rbcL and cox1 sequence analyses to identify Gayliella specimens from Nan’ao Island, Shantou city, China. Morphological analyses revealed that our specimens can be distinguished from other species of Gayliella by a combination of morphological characters: branching at intervals 4(–5) on main axes, 4–6 on lateral axes; five periaxial cells; short basipetal corticating filaments only 1–2 cells long; ovoid gland cells developed from periaxial cells; and tetrasporangia whorled at a node. Molecular sequence analysis also revealed sufficient sequence divergence between our specimens and other Gayliella species to separate them. Therefore, based on combined morphological and molecular analyses, we describe the specimens from Nan’ao Island, Shantou city, China, as Gayliella nanaoensis sp. nov.