Taxonomy of the Genus <i>Halophila</i> Thouars (Hydocharitaceae): A Review
The seagrass genus <i>Halophila</i> Thouars has more than twenty described species and is predominately distributed over a wide geographic range along the tropical and the warm temperate coastlines in the Indo-West Pacific Oceans. A brief history of the <i>Halophila</i> taxon...
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MDPI AG
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/12/1732 |
| _version_ | 1797545405625401344 |
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| author | John Kuo |
| author_facet | John Kuo |
| author_sort | John Kuo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The seagrass genus <i>Halophila</i> Thouars has more than twenty described species and is predominately distributed over a wide geographic range along the tropical and the warm temperate coastlines in the Indo-West Pacific Oceans. A brief history of the <i>Halophila</i> taxonomic development is presented. Based on reproductive and vegetative morphology, the genus is divided into eight sections including three new sections: section Australes, section Stipulaceae and section Decipientes. A rewritten taxonomic description of the type species for the genus <i>Halophila,</i><i>H. madagascariensis</i> Steudel ex Doty et B.C. Stone, is provided. The lectotype of <i>H. engelmannii</i> Asch. as well as neotypes of <i>H. hawaiiana</i> Doty et B.C. Stone and <i>H. spinulosa</i> (Br.) Asch. are designated. Furthermore, <i>H. ovalis</i> ssp. <i>bullosa</i>, ssp. <i>ramamurthiana</i> and ssp. <i>linearis</i> together with <i>H. balforurii</i> have been recognised as distinct species. Nomenclature, typification, morphological description and botanical illustrations are presented for each taxon. Recent molecular phylogenetic surveys on certain <i>Halophila</i> taxa are also discussed. Field surveys for the deep water <i>Halophila</i> in West Pacific regions are suggested. Morphological studies combined with molecular investigations for the <i>Halophila</i> on the east coast of Africa and the West Indian Ocean are urgently needed and highly recommended. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:15:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f7dc9151813c4b0a8a85cb1e95c7970c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:15:09Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj.art-f7dc9151813c4b0a8a85cb1e95c7970c2023-11-20T23:54:32ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472020-12-01912173210.3390/plants9121732Taxonomy of the Genus <i>Halophila</i> Thouars (Hydocharitaceae): A ReviewJohn Kuo0Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, AustraliaThe seagrass genus <i>Halophila</i> Thouars has more than twenty described species and is predominately distributed over a wide geographic range along the tropical and the warm temperate coastlines in the Indo-West Pacific Oceans. A brief history of the <i>Halophila</i> taxonomic development is presented. Based on reproductive and vegetative morphology, the genus is divided into eight sections including three new sections: section Australes, section Stipulaceae and section Decipientes. A rewritten taxonomic description of the type species for the genus <i>Halophila,</i><i>H. madagascariensis</i> Steudel ex Doty et B.C. Stone, is provided. The lectotype of <i>H. engelmannii</i> Asch. as well as neotypes of <i>H. hawaiiana</i> Doty et B.C. Stone and <i>H. spinulosa</i> (Br.) Asch. are designated. Furthermore, <i>H. ovalis</i> ssp. <i>bullosa</i>, ssp. <i>ramamurthiana</i> and ssp. <i>linearis</i> together with <i>H. balforurii</i> have been recognised as distinct species. Nomenclature, typification, morphological description and botanical illustrations are presented for each taxon. Recent molecular phylogenetic surveys on certain <i>Halophila</i> taxa are also discussed. Field surveys for the deep water <i>Halophila</i> in West Pacific regions are suggested. Morphological studies combined with molecular investigations for the <i>Halophila</i> on the east coast of Africa and the West Indian Ocean are urgently needed and highly recommended.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/12/1732<i>Halophila </i>taxonomyhistorysectionstypificationscombinationskeys |
| spellingShingle | John Kuo Taxonomy of the Genus <i>Halophila</i> Thouars (Hydocharitaceae): A Review Plants <i>Halophila </i>taxonomy history sections typifications combinations keys |
| title | Taxonomy of the Genus <i>Halophila</i> Thouars (Hydocharitaceae): A Review |
| title_full | Taxonomy of the Genus <i>Halophila</i> Thouars (Hydocharitaceae): A Review |
| title_fullStr | Taxonomy of the Genus <i>Halophila</i> Thouars (Hydocharitaceae): A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Taxonomy of the Genus <i>Halophila</i> Thouars (Hydocharitaceae): A Review |
| title_short | Taxonomy of the Genus <i>Halophila</i> Thouars (Hydocharitaceae): A Review |
| title_sort | taxonomy of the genus i halophila i thouars hydocharitaceae a review |
| topic | <i>Halophila </i>taxonomy history sections typifications combinations keys |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/12/1732 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT johnkuo taxonomyofthegenusihalophilaithouarshydocharitaceaeareview |