The recognition of Caulerpa integerrima (Zanardini) comb, et stat. nov. (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) from the Red Sea

Abstract

Evidence based on both morphological and molecular data is presented to demonstrate that Caulerpa Jrevcinetii C. Agardh var. integerrima Zanardini, a name that has long been treated within the taxonomic synonymy of C. serrulata (Forsskal) J. Agardh, is to be resurrected and recognised at the level of species, C. integerrima (Zanardini) comb, nov., for an alga thought to be endemic to the Red Sea. Three species in the genus with which it is superficially similar, C. bartoniae, C. brachvpus and C. serrulata, are separated from it using the lu/A gene, complemented by morphological characters, including the entire margins and the 1.5-2.0-mm thickness of the assiinilators. Another species also de..