Morfología y distribución de Jania virgata (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) y revisión del género Jania s.l. en Galicia

Abstract

An update of the morpho-anatomical characters of Jania virgata, and its distribution in Galicia and adjacent territories is presented. The review of available literature and herbarium specimens allowed us to confirm   J. virgata in Galicia based on an unique record published by Bescansa in 1948 and supported by two herbarium vouchers. Nevertheless, recent explorations in the same locality (Riazor, A Coruña) and along the Galician coasts were not successful. Parallel to this study, a further review involving literature and herbarium specimens was conducted with remaining taxa of the Atlantic Iberia (J. longifurca, J. squamata, J. rubens and J. rubens var. corniculata). Thus, Jania virgata shows a variable branching pattern, with irregular dichotomous primary branching and pinnate, opposite secondary branching; intergenicula with branchlets at subapical and/or medium position; higher length/diameter ratio at the apical intergenicula than in basal ones; and a low number of medullary cell layers per intergeniculum.