Asteromenia kimberleyensis Huisman & G.W.Saunders

Scientific Description

Habit and structure. Thallus irregularly ligulate, decumbent, red when pressed, iridescent in situ, with several peg-like attachments to the substratum and between adjacent branches. Central portion of blade 25–30 mm broad, bearing irregular marginal flattened branches to 30 mm long and 5–8 mm broad. Branch margins mostly smooth but occasionally dentate, often forming marginal anastomoses with adjacent branches. Medulla of 3–6 layers of large hyaline cells; cells centrally 75–150 μm diam., grading to an outer medulla of smaller cells, then a cortex of 4 or 5 layers of progressively smaller pigmented cells. Surface cells of upper cortex 3–5 μm diam., those of the lower cortex slightly larger, to 6 μm diam. Cells of outer medulla/inner cortex commonly with irregularly shaped inclusions.

Reproduction. Spermatangia forming in sori on upper surface, arising singly from outer cortical cells. Other reproductive structures not observed.

Distribution. Known only from the type collection from Champagny Is., Kimberley, north-western Australia.

Habitat. Epilithic in the intertidal.

[After J.M. Huisman & G.W. Saunders in Algae of Australia: Marine Benthic Algae of North-western Australia, 2. Red Algae: 322 (2018)]