Laurencia crustiformans sp. nov. (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) from the Hawaiian Islands

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Abstract
Laurencia crustiformans sp. nov. is a common component of red algal turf in the intertidal zone in Hawaii. Laurencia crustiformans is distinguished from other Laurencia species by its densely packed, nearly unbranched, upright axes arising from a tough, spreading basal crust. Basal crusts have been reported in only one other species (L. flagellifera). Tetrasporangial arrangement and cortical cell structure indicate that Hawaiian specimens previously identified as L. obtusa (Hudson) Lamouroux var. rigidula Grunow belong to the new species. Laboratory cultures of L. crustiformans have been successfully initiated from tetraspores and maintained for over 15 months. Lectotypes of L. obtusa var. rigidula and var. squarrulosa were also chosen.