Further investigations on the red alga Melanothamnus afaqhusainii (Ceramiales) from the coast of Pakistan

Abstract

External characters, anatomical features and characteristics of propagules of the red alga Melanothamnus afaqhusainii Shameel is described and compared with the Somalian and Yemeni populations of M. somalensis Bornet et Falkenberg. M. afaqhusainii differs from M. somalensis by its larger size, larger propagules containing more tiers of cells and the thicker cortication of the axis. M. afaqhusainii also differs from Somalian populations of the type species, M. somalensis, in having conical and spindle-shaped propagules and from Yemeni populations of M. somalensis in habit and in the production of the propagules on dwarf shoots (Polysiphonia-like filaments) only.