| Diagnosis |
Colonies composed of masses of interwoven, usually polysiphonic stems and branches with anastomoses, up to 60mm in diameter. Hydrothecae present along whole length of colony, arranged in decussate pairs forming four longitudinal rows. Hydrothecae immersed
into branches for approximately one-third of volume. Free adcauline wall of hydrotheca one-sixth to one-tenth of its total length, straight. Abcauline wall slightly convex basally, but becoming concave distally. Hydrothecal aperture circular; rim even and usually with numerous renovations. Male and female gonothecae present. Female gonothecae typically set in a glomulus formed by a series of stolonal tubes from which the individual gonothecae
arise. Stolons also provided with isolated hydrothecae arranged in an irregular pattern; hydrothecae of glomulus smaller and with a larger part of the adcauline wall free. Gonotheca urn-shaped, with a globular basal part narrowing into a large distal neck provided with a wide distal aperture. Gonothecal wall with striae at base of neck. Female gonothecae also inserting individually at hydrothecal base. Male gonothecae not aggregated in a glomulus but arising directly at hydrothecal base. Male gonotheca fusiform, provided with a small and circular aperture at the end of a short conical neck. |