SONDERELLA, LEMBERGIA AND THE NEW TRIBE SONDERELLEAE (RHODOMELACEAE, RHODOPHYTA)

The monospecific genus Sonderella is endemic to Australia and has been the subject of speculation with regard to its taxonomic position. When the anatomy and reproduction of this genus were comprehensively described by Womersley in 1965, he recommended its inclusion in the Rhodomelaceae and foreshadowed that it would warrant its own tribe. Recent molecular investigation has confirmed its position within the Rhodomelaceae. Classical anatomical investigation of the rare and poorly‐known New Zealand endemic genus Lembergia has shown that it shares many features with Sonderella, including vegetative construction and position and construction of the reproductive structures. Molecular investigations of the 18S rRNA gene support the close relationship of the two genera and their inclusion within the Rhodomelaceae as a separate tribe, the Sonderelleae tribus novum.