Table 2 Comparison of characters of Lithothamnion muelleri and L. glaciale from Espiríto Santo state (Brazil) and with the same and related species from other areas
Lithothamnion muelleri | Lithothamnion corallioides | Lithothamnion glaciale | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brazila | Southern Australiab | British Islesc | Ria de Vigod | Ría de Arousae | British Islesf | British Islesc | Brazila | |
Branch diameter | 1–3 mm | 1–4 mm | Mainly <1 mm | ND | <1.5–1.7 mm | >1 mm | Variable | 2–4 mm |
Core cells (l) × (d) μm | (7–18) × (3–9) | (2–30) × (2–15) | Fusiform (5–35) × (5–10) | ND | Fusiform (5–10) × (5–10) | ND (8.5–12) × (4–8) | Elliptical (8–12) × (4–8) | Elliptical (10–20) × (7–11) |
Core fusions | Localized | ND | Very extensive | Very extensive | Very extensive | ND | Localized | Localized |
Groups of fused cells | Bead-like | ND | Star-like | ND | ND | ND | Bead-like | Bead-like |
Peripheral cells (l) × (d) μm | (12–17) × (5–7) | ND | (10–30) × (5–12) | ND | ND | (7.5–26) × (15–50) | (7–26) × (3–8) | (12–21) × (7–13) |
Tetra/bisporangia conceptacle shape | Slightly raised above | Protruding above or flush | Without rim, pore plate convex | Protruding above | ND | Slightly raised | With narrow, non-raised rim, pore plate level | Buried, non-raised rim, pore plate level |
Diam. of tetra/bisporangial conceptacle chamber (μm) | 375–755 | 280–780 | 234–380 | 200–400 | ND | 150–360 | 150–360 | 300–430 |
Height of tetra/bisporangial conceptacle chamber | 200–320 | 150–200 | 83–117 | 108 | ND | 110–180 | 110–180 | 160–280 |
Roof thickness (no. of cells/length) (μm) | 7–9/66–80 | 5–9 | ND/29–39 | ND/27–31 | ND | ND/5–40 | ND/5–40 | 3–4/25–35 |
No. of layers surrounding conceptacles below thallus surface | 7–9 | 5–9 | 10g | 9–11h | ND | ND | 12–14i | 13–14 |
Tetra/bisporangial shape | Long | Long | Long and thin | ND | Long | ND | Elliptical | Elliptical |