VEGETATIVE FEATURES

Thallus habit: encrusting, taking the form of the substratum (D), sometimes with protuberances. White margin. Size: thickness up to 1.2mm. Colour of living specimen: red or pale pink. Colour of dried specimen: pinkish white.

Medulla: coaxial (A). Cortex: in thick thalli there is an alternation of layers having cells of different dimensions, thickness up to 100-1100µm. Epithallial cells: present in a single layer of cells, of polygonal form, in superficial vision. Cell connections: cell fusions.

Gametangial conceptacles: spermatangial conical, slightly protruding or flush with thallus surface, outer diameter 500µm x 150µm high; carpogonia conical, outer diameter 900-1000µm x 350-400µm high. Tetra/bisporangial conceptacles: multiporate, hemispherical and flattened (B), with hollow roof (C), outer diameter 500-900µm, inner diameter 350-500µm x 150-200µm high. Phenology: ---

Habitat: epilithic or epiphytic species on basal portions of Posidonia; in association with Mesophyllum lichenoides in the coralligenous plateau. Bathymetric distribution: up to 20-40m deep. Geographic distribution (Babbini & Bressan 1997):

North Western Mediterranean Sea (D): Spain; South Eastern Mediterranean Sea (H): Malta.