Morphology and molecular study of Pterosiphonia arenosa sp. nov. (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) from Jeju Island, Korea

The genus Pterosiphonia is composed of 22 species worldwide and four of these species have been reported in the North-East Asia. In Korea, P. pennata originally described from the Mediterranean Sea has been previously recorded from the southern coast as a widespread species. In order to confirm the same species from Korea and Mediterranean, we observed the morphology of Korean Pterosiphonia specimen and analyzed rbcL sequences for inferring phylogenetic re-lationships among similar congeners. Korean entity was recognized as a new species, Pterosiphonia arenosa sp. nov. The new species is characterized by ecorticate axes with 7-10 pericentral cells, branches formed every two segments, and co-alesced with main axis over 1-1.25 axial segments, and tetrasporangia formed in straight series on determinate branches of the upper parts of erect axes. A phylogenetic analysis of rbcL sequences demonstrated that P. arenosa was distinct from P. pennata found in Spain as well as other species. In conclusion, morphological and molecular sequence data indicated that P. arenosa sp. nov. has been previously misidentified as P. pennata in Korea. Key Words: morphology; Pterosiphonia arenosa sp. nov.; P. pennata; rbcL; Rhodophyta; taxonom