Notes on Parasitic Rhodomelaceae, I: The Morphology and Systematic Position of Benzaitenia yenoshimensis Yendo, a Parasitic Red Alga from Japan

[The morphology of Benzaitenia yenoshimensis Yendo (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae), parasitic on Chondria crassicaulis Harvey (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae) from Japan, is discussed and illustrated. Pericentral cells in Benzaitenia divide into tier-cells; neither vegetative nor reproductive trichoblasts are produced; reproductive structures are borne directly on the main axis; 1-several procarps are produced per fertile axis; 6 pericentral cells are formed in the fertile segment; 1 sterile cell group occasionally is missing; 2 gonimoblast initials appear to be formed; gonimoblast cells form secondary pit connections; spermatangial axes have 4-5(-6?) pericentral cells; tetrasporangia are borne in whorls of 6 per segment and sporangial initials are cut off prior to cover cells (a condition not previously reported for a member of the Rhodomelaceae). Benzaitenia is a member of the tribe Bostrychieae and is closely related to Bostrychia itself.]