Recent molecular-assisted taxonomic studies on the brown algal genus Hydroclathrus has resulted in discoveries of new taxa in the family Scytosiphonaceae, both at the genus and species level. However, phylogenetic studies on Hydroclathrus based on wide geographical sampling also suggested that the genus is not monophyletic. That is, one of the recently described species Hydroclathrus minutus is consistently segregated from the Hydroclathrus main clade. We propose here to segregate H. minutus from the brown algal genus Hydroclathrus and establish the new monotypic genus Manzaea (i.e., Manzaea minuta gen. & comb. nov.) based on information on molecular phylogenetics and morpho-anatomy. Morphologically, M. minuta is similar to Hydroclathrus and Tronoella in having clathrate (net-like) and spreading thalli but is differentiated from the latter two genera in having membranous thalli that are sometimes interadhesive resulting in portions of the thallus forming amorphous clumps. Additionally, Manzaea is distinguished from both clathrate genera in having thick-walled medullary cells and short closely arranged quadriseriate plurangia. Phylogenetic analyses (Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference) based on single (plastidial psaA and rbcL genes) and concatenated (cox3 + psaA + rbcL) genes showed that M. minuta is consistently segregated from the highly supported clade of Hydroclathrus species and often clustering with Tronoella and/or Rosenvingea. Our proposal further increases the diversity of monotypic genera in the Scytosiphonaceae and underscores the need to conduct further studies on tropical seaweed biodiversity.

KEYWORDS: brown seaweed, Hydroclathrus, Japan, phylogeny, taxonomy

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A new variety of Cyrtandra villosissima from Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines, C. villosissima var. flavovirens, is here described. Both C. villosissima var. villosissima and C. villosissima var. flavovirens are erect suffrutescent plants, with large leaves that are slightly falcate, and have inflorescences with linear, densely hirsute bracts. Cyrtandra villosissima var. flavovirens can be distinguished from C. villosissima var. villosissima by its pale yellow to yellow-green corollas and its pedunculate inflorescences. A key to morphologically similar taxa, distribution maps, and photographs of the varieties are here provided.

KEYWORDS: biodiversity, systematics, taxonomy, variety

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This paper reports two Parmotrema species new to the Philippines, sampled from Mt. Candalaga, Maragusan, Davao De Oro during an initial survey of lichen diversity and distribution on the mountain. This resulted to a total of 32 Parmotrema species described from the Philippines to date. The finding confirmed the presence of more undiscovered lichen species in many places around the country, especially in Mindanao. In addition, an updated key for the identification of the known Philippine Parmotrema species is given.

KEYWORDS: lichen, mycology, Parmeliaceae, Parmotrema melanothrix, Parmotrema planatilobatum

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Seaweeds research in the Philippines—from studies on their diversity, natural products chemistry, and the utilization of their derivatives—is largely based on spot collections of large and conspicuous components of the seaweed flora found along the coasts. Such efforts are often focused on commercially important seaweeds; thus, most of the smaller and even microscopic seaweeds remain understudied, if not completely overlooked. Consequently, little to none is known on many aspects of the biology, ecology, and even biochemistry of these components of the Philippine seaweed flora. To understand aspects of seaweed biology and serve as a facility for preserving the genetic resources of Philippine seaweeds, we established the Marine Macroalgal Reference Culture Collection at the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMMARCC). We are currently maintaining 446 seaweed strains (or isolates) collected from several coastal and offshore areas in the Philippines, the latter including the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea, and 25 isolates from Okinawa, Japan. To our knowledge, the UP-MMARCC is the most diverse and widely sampled culture collection in the Philippines so far. Moreover, our preliminary molecular-assisted biodiversity studies suggest that UP-MMARCC houses several isolates that are either new records to the Philippines or putative new taxa. We anticipate that with continued support, we will be able to sustain and expand our culture collection, not only to facilitate discoveries but also to cater to the needs of the Philippine seaweed industry and in support of its call for diversifying our seaweed commodities and their products.

KEYWORDS: germling emergence method, marine biodiversity, seaweed culture, Pacific Ocean, tropical seaweeds, rbcL

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