Crustose Corallinales (Melobesiodeae) of the Caribbean Sea and West Indies

Abstract

The suborder Melobesiodeae of the Corallinales (Rhodophyta) from the Caribbean Sea and West Indies has been studied and analyzed for morphological descriptions as well as anatomical and cytological differentiation between the three genera, Sporolithon, Lithothamnion and Mesophyllum typically found in tropical seas. A full taxonomic analysis for this group in this geographic area has not previously been published. The added facet of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and its potential application as a tool for future research in this sometimes difficult group is also presented. It is tentatively concluded that SEM examination provides strong supporting information to the basic paraffin slide preparation technique, especially with regard to cell and filament growth and dimension. The SEM measurement methods used in this study should undergo further investigation in a second group of the Corallinales. A comparison between the two groups will provide further validity to the method. It is also likely that continuing work will provide valuable insight into coralline carbonate structure.