New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

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A taxonomic survey of Microspora (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta) in New Zealand

Philip M. Novis

Allan Herbarium
Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln 8152, New Zealand
Email: novisp@landcareresearch.co.nz

Abstract  A survey of freshwater habitats, mainly streams and rivers, from the New Zealand provinces Nelson, Canterbury, Westland, Southland, and Wellington revealed eight subgeneric taxa of Microspora. These taxa are distinguished by vegetative features, most of which are retained in frozen samples or samples preserved in Lugol’s iodine. Two species and one variety, M. manifesta, M. rotundata, and M. amoena var. novae-zelandiae, are proposed as new to science. Larger species are generally easily distinguished, but doubt remains over one smaller species, in which the reliability of taxonomic characters is yet to be fully investigated. Microspora has high potential as a bioindicator organism in New Zealand, owing to the ease with which most species are distinguished by negative characteristics and the retention of these diagnostic characters following preservation.

Keywords  Microspora; M. rotundata; M. manifesta; M. amoena var. novae-zelandiae; Chlorophyceae; taxonomy; distribution; new species; new records; New Zealand

B02088; Online publication date 30 March 2004; Received 23 December 2002; accepted 23 June 2003
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2004, Vol. 42: 153-165
0028-825X/04/4201-0153 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004

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