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FURTHER STUDIES ON GELIDIUM (RHODOPHYTA) FROM THE COAST OF PAKISTAN

SYED AFAQ-HUSAIN AND MUSTAFA SHAMEEL*

Abstract: The circumscription of Gelidium pusillum (Stackhouse) Le Jolis has been discussed and a new taxon G. pusillum var. pakistanicum Afaq-Husain et Shameel is described. The vegetative, anatomical arid reproductive structures of the Pakistani populations of this species have been investigated in detail. The new variety showed distinctive characters as turf or cushion forming habit, the primary erect fronds being teretocompressed below and becoming flat in the upper half, plants up to 11 mm in length appearing distinctly segmented under microscope, random arrangement of surface cells as well as of tetrasporangia borne on stichidia-like structures as well as on the tips of branch fronds, presence of rhizines in abundance and sexual plants not being present. This species has also been compared with G. usmanghanii Afaq-Husain et Shameel.

PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Karachi-75280, Pakistan.

Department of Botany/Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270., Pakistan.