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The taxonomy ofLithothamnium ramosissimum (Gümbel nonReuss)Conti andLithothamnium operculatum (Conti)Conti (Rhodophyta, Corallinaceae)

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Summary

After revision of the Reuss collection (Piller, 1994),Lithothamnium ramosissimum Reuss 1847 is considered to be conspecific withPalaeothamnium archaeotypum Conti 1946, which is now a junior synonym. On this basis,L. ramosissimum (Reuss) Piller is also possibly conspecific withL. ramosissimum Reuss sensu Gümbel and consequently, withL. ramosissimum (Gümbel nonReuss) described by Conti. However, the loss of Gümbel's original collection prevents a definitive resolution concerning his descriptions. The revision of Conti's original collection of the Miocene Leithakalk material and the comparison of the morphology and biometry ofL. ramosissimum (Gümbel nonReuss)Conti and ofPalaeothamnium archaeotypum Conti shows that they are not conspecific and must be regarded as separate species, regardless of the status of the genusPalaeothamnium Conti.

SinceL. ramosissimum (Gümbel nonReuss)Conti shows the same macroscopic and microscopic morphology and biometry asLithothamnion valens Foslie,L. valens Foslie has priority overL. ramosissimum (Gümbel nonReuss)Conti.

The morphology and anatomy of the holotype ofLithothamnium operculatum (Conti) Conti from the Tertiary Piedmont Basin and Conti's original collection ofL. operculatum from the Miocene Leithakalk have been compared with those of living plants ofPhymatolithon calcareum (Pallas) Adey & McKibbin, and considered to be conspecific. Therefore, the nameP. calcareum has priority.

The stratigraphic distribution ofL. valens andP. calcareum is therefore extended back to the Tertiary.

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  1. Dip. Scienze della Terra, Via Mangiagalli 34, I-20133, Milano

    Daniela Basso

  2. Dip. Scienze della Terra. C.so Europa 26, I-16132, Genova

    Patrizia Fravega &  Grazia Vannuci

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  1. Daniela Basso
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Basso, D., Fravega, P. & Vannuci, G. The taxonomy ofLithothamnium ramosissimum (Gümbel nonReuss)Conti andLithothamnium operculatum (Conti)Conti (Rhodophyta, Corallinaceae). Facies 37, 167–181 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02537377

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