Polysiphonia freshwateri sp nov and Polysiphonia koreana sp nov.: two new species of Polysiphonia (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) from Korea

Polysiphonia sensu lato comprises approximately 200 species, which are currently assigned to several different genera. To date, one of these genera, namely, Polysiphonia, has been reported to have 17 species. Here, we describe for the first time P. freshwateri sp. nov. and P. koreana sp. nov. from Uljin and Ulleung Island, Korea, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Polysiphonia freshwateri sp. nov. and P. koreana sp. nov. are characterized by having the typical Polysiphonia features. Polysiphonia freshwateri sp. nov. is further characterized by having abundant trichoblasts, conspicuous scar cells, and tetrasporangia arranged in spiral series. Polysiphonia koreana sp. nov. is further characterized by having very scarce scar cells placed between two pericentral cells, from which cicatrigenous branches arise. The results of our rbcL sequence analyses support the taxonomic placement of P. freshwateri sp. nov. and P. koreana sp. nov. within Polysiphonia.