VEGETATIVE FEATURES

Thallus habit: from encrusting to branched (A). Size: 2-4cm diameter. Colour of living specimen: pale pink violet. Colour of dried specimen: yellowish white.

Medulla: few rectangular cells layers (frequently 3); thickness 40-50µm; cells: 13-25µm long x 6-11µm diameter. Cortex: multilayered, zoned, with rectangular to ovoid cells: 10-20µm long x 5-11µm diameter. Epithallial cells: 2 or 3 layers of ovoid to elliptical: 3.5-8µm long x 7-13µm diameter (B). Cell connections: cell fusions.

Gametangial conceptacles: --- Tetra/bisporangial conceptacles: multiporate, raised, from subcircular to elliptical, frequently grouped at protuberances apices (A-C); 235-530µm diameter x 117-222µm high. Phenology: --- Other features: perithallus grows over empty conceptacles roof, leaving characteristic triangular cavities (D).

Habitat: epibionts, encrusting shells or biogenic remains, often free-living as rhodolith. Bathymetric distribution: from sublittoral to 27 - 98m deep. Geographic distribution (Babbini & Bressan 1997): 

Middle Western Mediterranean Sea (C): Italy; South Eastern Mediterranean Sea (H): Malta.