Baldockia verticillata (Griffithsieae, Ceramiales), a new red algal genus and species from eastern Australia

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Abstract
Baldockia verticillata gen. et sp. nov. is described from sublittoral rocky habitats at Coffs Harbour (30.degree.18''S; 153.degree.08''E) on the northern New South Wales coast of Australia. Plants are turf components consisting of basally prostrate axes that branch and form distally erect, subdichotomous axes bearing whorls of up to seven simple or subdichotomous determinate laterals on each axial cell. Tetrasporangia (2-5) are borne on the basal cells of most whorl-branchlets, and in male plants a single spermatangial fascicle is borne in a similar position. Erect axes remain indeterminate even when fertile whorl-branchlets are produced. Subapical procarps form on a three-celled fertile axis borne in the position of a determinate whorl-branchlet. The new genus is contrasted with other members of the Griffithsieae, and appears on morphological grounds to be the most primitive extant member of the tribe.