Struvea thoracica sp nov (Cladophorophyceae), a new deep-water chlorophyte from the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia

Abstract

Struvea thoracica Kraft & Millar, sp. nov., is described from deep-water habitats along the mid-north to southern Great Barrier Reef and in New Caledonia. Plants reach 26 cm in length and at maturity consist of coarse fibrous blades to 2 mm in thickness, 18 cm in length, and 12 cm in width borne on simple to ramified stalks 8-18 cm in length and 2.5 mm in diameter. Organization of the blades is dorsiventral, with first-order laterals arising oppositely on axial bearing cells, the laterals in turn producing a further order of branches that are strongly curved 'ventrally'. This results in a 'dorsal' surface on which the primary laterals are evenly spaced, coarse, and prominently exposed, impar..