Systematic revision of the genus <i>Reinboldiella</i> (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta) from Taiwan based on comparative morphology and <i>rbc</i>L sequence analyses, including two new species of <i>Reinboldiella</i>

The genus <i>Reinboldiella</i> essentially consists of tiny, membranous blades, epiphytic on benthic red algae, with a wide distribution in the north-western Pacific Ocean (Taiwan, Korea and Japan). In this study, we re-examined the generitype <i>R. schmitziana</i> from Taiwan and neighbouring islands. Two new species of <i>Reinboldiella, R. orientalis</i> sp. nov. and <i>R. taiwanensis</i> sp. nov. are recognized from Taiwan based on comparative morphological studies and molecular analyses of RuBisCO large subunit (<i>rbc</i>L) gene sequences. <i>Reinboldiella</i> <i>orientalis</i> is characterized by its rosette-like appearance, with both erect and prostrate, membranous flat blades whereas <i>R. taiwanensis</i> is distinguishable by mainly consisting of erect, membranous blades with few, short prostrate blades in basal parts of the thalli. Thalli of <i>R. schmitziana</i> also have a rosette-like appearance, but their erect flat blades have cylindrical bases or stipes. The <i>rbc</i>L phylogenetic analyses also support the separation of <i>R.</i>‘<i>schmitziana</i>’ from Taiwan and <i>R. schmitziana</i> from Japan and Korea.