Neochondria Gen. Nov. (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta), A Segregate Of Chondria, Including N. Ammophila Sp. Nov. And N. Nidffica Comb. Nov.

Using morphological and molecular evidence, we describe a new genus, Neochondria, based on specimens formerly identified as Chondria tenuissima' sensu Okamura in Japan. The generitype, Neochondria ammophila sp. nov., is not closely related to Chondria capillaris (Hudson) M.J. Wynne, the generitype of Chondria. The anatomy of Neochondria differs from that of Chondria by the development of adventitious elongate cells between the five major pericentral cells, forming densely compact layers surrounding the axial strand, even in the ultimate branchlets. We propose the new combination, Neochondria nidifica, based on Chondria nidifica Harvey from California, USA and Baja California, Mexico. Multigene analyses (rbcL, small subunit and coxl) and morphological observations demonstrated that N. ammophila and N. nidifica share a Glade but preliminary results show that they may not belong in the tribe Chondrieae.