Revisiting the systematics of the genera Grateloupia, Phyllymenia, and Prionitis (Halymeniaceae, Rhodophyta) with a description of a new species-Prionitis taiwani-borealis

The taxonomy of the genera Grateloupia, Phyllymenia, and Prionitis has been revised several times but remains controversial. The anatomy of female reproductive structures in combination with phylogenetic reconstructions is mostly used to define the genera. However, the architecture and behavior of the auxiliary cell ampullae before and after diploidization are not well documented for most species. To fill this knowledge gap, we examined the female reproductive structures of a new species (Prionitis taiwani-borealis sp. nov.) from Taiwan and compared our observations to the species currently placed in the Phyllymenia/Prionitis complex. The female reproductive structures of the Phyllymenia/Prionitis complex are characterized by (1) 2-celled carpogonial branches with the supporting cell being the basal cell of a third-order ampullar filament; (2) auxiliary cell ampullae composed of three orders of unbranched ampullar filaments before diploidization; (3) cells of auxiliary cell ampullar filaments forming a cellular cluster after diploidization and surrounding the developing gonimoblasts; (4) gonimoblast initials produced from the diploidized auxiliary cells before fusing with them; and (5) branched auxiliary cell ampullar and secondary medullary filaments involved in early pericarp formation. A monophyletic relationship of species possessing female structures similar to those of Pr. taiwani-borealis and related species was highly supported based on combined rbcL and LSU rDNA sequence analyses. The female reproductive structures of other species of Grateloupia sensu lato, phylogenetically closely related to the Prionitis and Phyllymenia assemblage, require reinvestigation as correct interpretations of pre- and post-fertilization events have proven to be informative for resolving the systematics of the Halymeniaceae.

Automated summary

The classification of the genera Grateloupia, Phyllymenia, and Prionitis remains controversial and relies on the anatomy of female reproductive structures and phylogenetic reconstructions. A new species of Prionitis was discovered in Taiwan, revealing common characteristics of female reproductive structures among related species and supporting a monophyletic relationship based on combined rbcL and LSU rDNA sequence analyses. Further reinvestigation into the female reproductive structures of Grateloupia sensu lato species closely related to Prionitis and Phyllymenia is needed for resolving the systematics of the Halymeniaceae.