Chondria pygmaea sp. nov. (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) from the Gulf of Aquaba, Red Sea

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Abstract
Chondria pygmaea sp. nov. is described from the Gulf of Aqaba (Gulf of Elat) in the Red Sea, epiphytic on leaves of Halophila stipulacea (Forsskal) Ascherson. The presence of terete axes and pointed apices places this species in Chondria section Euchondria Falkenberg. The new species is characterized by the production of 1-3 erect axes, each 3-5(-13) mm in height and 200-550 .mu.m in diameter, arising from a compact, discoidal base. In nature, plants are unbranched or have one or two small lateral branches, although in culture several large lateral branches may develop from the base of the main axis. Chondria pygmaea is the most diminutive Chondria species described to date, and it is compared with Chondria mairei Feldmann and C. minutula Weber-van Bosse. Descriptions of vegetative and reproductive morphology are presented along with ecological observations. The reduced habit, the discoid base and the brick-like outer cortex are the primary speices-specific characters.