THREE NEW RECORDS OF THE GENUS LAURENCIA (CERAMIALES, RHODOPHYTA) FROM THE PERSIAN GULF SEASHORES IN IRAN

Despite numerous studies, the genus Laurencia J. V. Lamouroux (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae) is still one of the most complex genera of Rhodophyta. In recent years some species of the genus have been transferred to other genera. However some species of this genus have only been introduced based on morphological characters from south of Iran, but modern molecular studies combined with morphological and anatomical studies can resolve most problems of this complicated groups of organisms. In this study Laurencia obtusa var. mollissima, L. obtusa var. compacta and L. dendroidea are reported for the first time from Bandar-Lengeh, Hengam and Qeshm Islands respectively in southern coastlines of Iran. Morpho-anatomical studies revealed the typical characteristics of the genus Laurencia, including four pericentral cells per each axial segment, presence of corpse en cerise per superficial cortical cell, parallel arrangement of tetrasporangia, presence of secondary pit connections and other specific features of this genus.