THE SECTION SIRODOTIA OF BATRACHOSPERMUM (RHODOPHYTA, BATRACHOSPERMACEAE) IN BRAZIL

The taxonomy, distribution and ecology of Section Sirodotia of Batrachospermum in Brazil is studied. Only one species, B. delicatulum (SKUJA) NECCHI & ENTWISLE, was recognized. This species presents a wide range of morphological features, occurs in a number of distinct habitats and environmental conditions and is widely distributed in Brazil. A full account of the species taxonomy is given and the synonyMy of B. ateleium comb. nov. SKUJA is confirmed. Two growth forms (dense and open) were found in the Brazilian specimens, but they were not treated as different taxa because a continuous range was observed between them. Two morphological features were proposed for species delineation: early development of gonimoblast and presence of specialized spermatangial branches. Three distinct groups of Sirodotia species can be recognized on the basis of these criterions: B. delicatulum (gonimoblast initial arises from a semiglobular protuberance of the carpogonium), B. suecicalum KYLIN (gonimoblast initial arises from the non-protuberant side of the carpogonium) and B. segawae KUMANO and B. yutakae KUMANO (with specialized spermatangial branches).