First report of Lomentaria hakodatensis (Lomentariaceae, Rhodophyta) from the lagoon of Venice (Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean)

Abstract

        Lomentaria hakodatensis Yendo, known from China, Japan, Korea, and the Pacific coasts of North America, was recorded for the first time in the lagoon of Venice on the Adriatic Sea in 2000. Specimens in the reproductive stage had tetrasporophytes, male, and female gametophytes. Morphological, anatomical, and reproductive features of the thalli are described and the occurrence of the species in the lagoon is discussed. Data on associated algae are presented. This species was recently found in France, Spain, Russia, the Hawaiian Islands, and Australia.