Ceramiales (Rhodophyceae) genera new to South Africa, including new species of Womersleyella and Herposiphonia

Diplothamnion, Halydictyon, Tolypiocladia, Lophosiphonia, Womersleyella and Lophocladia were found in collections from Natal representing the first report of these genera from South Africa. Tolypiocladia and Lophosiphonia were previously reported from Tanzania, Halydictyon from Mauritius and Lophocladia from the Transkei. Womersleyella was previously known only from some islands of the Pacific. A new species of Womersleyella, W. kwazuluensis, is described from northern Natal, and the genus is emended to include additional species that were previously assigned to Polysiphonia. Herposiphonia akidoglossa sp. nov., a distinctive new species, is also described. Structure and reproduction of each species is discussed where new information is available. Diplothamnion, Halydictyon, Tolypiocladia, Lophosiphonia, Womersleyella en Lophocladia is in versamelings van Natal gevind en verteenwoordig die eerste verslag van hierdie genera in Suid-Afrika. Tolypiocladia en Lophosiphonia is voorheen in Tanzanie gevind, Halydictyon in Mauritius en Lophocladia in die Transkei. Womersleyella is voorheen slegs op sommige eilande in die Stille Oseaan gevind. ’n Nuwe spesie van Womersleyella, W. kwazuluensis , van Noord-Natal, word beskryf en die genus word verbeter deur spesies by te voeg wat voorheen aan Polysiphonia behoort het. Herposiphonia akidoglossa sp. nov., ’n kenmerkende nuwe spesie, word ook beskryf. Struktuur en reproduksie van elke spesie word bespreek waar nuwe inligting beskikbaar is.