THE NEW GENUS AND SPECIESOSSIELLA PACIFICA(GRIFFITHSIEAE, RHODOPHYTA) FROM HAWAII AND NORFOLK ISLAND, PACIFIC OCEAN

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Abstract
Ossiella pacificagen. et sp. nov. is described from sub tidal habitats (5–19 m) in the central (Hawaiian Islands) and southwestern (Norfolk Island) Pacific Ocean. Plants consist of limited prostrate axes that rapidly become erect and form ecorticate, subdichotomously branched axes bearing up to seven (mostly six) di‐/to trichotomously branched, pigmented, determinate, quickly caducous whorled laterals from subapical axial cells. Two to five tetrasporangza are borne directly on the inflated basal cells of pigmented determinate laterals. One to two spermatangial fascicles are similarly placed in male plants. Subapical procarps are borne on a three‐celled fertile axis, which occupies the same position as an indeterminate branch, being itself displaced laterally by the continued growth of the indeterminate axis. Procarps are bicarpogonial, the sterile cell normally associated with the supporting cell in procarps of the Griffithsieae being converted into a functional four‐celled carpogonial branch. Ossiellais compared with the other membus of the tribe, and a dichotomous key to the genera is offered. On morphological grounds, Ossiellaseemingly forms a perfect intermediary link along the phylogenetic lineage between the eastern Australian genusBaldockiaA. Millar, the eastern American genusCalliclavulaG. W. Schneid, and the widespreadAnotrichiumNägeli.