ANTARCTIC BENTHOS
145
Much more collecting, with more field observation and some critical
systematics must obviously be carried out before the Antarctic marine
algae are properly understood. Papenfuss has recently (1964a) made a
strong plea for detailed study of properly prepared new material, comparison of these species collected with the types and a re-study of all
the published material from Antarctica. Observations on marine algae
appear to have been made in a relatively few areas of the Antarctic.
They certainly do not appear to be common in many areas, where icescour and the action of anchor ice undoubtedly affect the establishment
of shallow-water stands.
Papenfuss (1964b) has also recently discussed some of the outstanding systematic problems as regards some of the endemic Antarctic
monotypic genera of algae. The large, widely distributed, very typical
Antarctic mainland genus Phyllogigas illustrates some ofthese problems.
No reproductive organs, the structure of which provide major clues in
the classification of algae, have been observed in any specimen
yet collected. The genus is therefore considered to be of uncertain
systematic position although a special family has been erected for
Phyllogigas and an apparently allied (if not identical) genus from South
Georgia, Himantothallus. Papenfuss had made a special plea for the
collection of large samples of Phyllogigas from any area in which it
might be encountered in the hopes of finding reproductive organs, and
thus elucidating its life history and proper systematic position. D616pine
and Hureau (1963) have pointed out that since specimens have now
been collected in January, February, April, May, September, October,
November and December without finding fertile fronds it seems possible
that reproduction takes place in the Antarctic winters, and collecting
samples at this period will be difficult.
Papenfuss has also pointed out that the systematic position of
Ascoseira, a monotypic genus confined to the Antarctic Peninsula and
South Georgia, is similarly uncertain, although here the reproductive
organs are known. They are unfortunately so anomalous that they do
not fit the recognized patterns.
B. Origin of Antarctic algae
Skottsberg (1964) speculated on the origin of the Antarctic algae.
During maximum periods of glaciation he believed that the marine
algae would be largely destroyed around the continent, but because of
lower water temperatures conditions off the present Subantarctic
Islands would have offered suitable habitats. The endemic Antarctic
genera probably belonged to the Subantarctic zone but moved south as
the ice receded.
145
Much more collecting, with more field observation and some critical
systematics must obviously be carried out before the Antarctic marine
algae are properly understood. Papenfuss has recently (1964a) made a
strong plea for detailed study of properly prepared new material, comparison of these species collected with the types and a re-study of all
the published material from Antarctica. Observations on marine algae
appear to have been made in a relatively few areas of the Antarctic.
They certainly do not appear to be common in many areas, where icescour and the action of anchor ice undoubtedly affect the establishment
of shallow-water stands.
Papenfuss (1964b) has also recently discussed some of the outstanding systematic problems as regards some of the endemic Antarctic
monotypic genera of algae. The large, widely distributed, very typical
Antarctic mainland genus Phyllogigas illustrates some ofthese problems.
No reproductive organs, the structure of which provide major clues in
the classification of algae, have been observed in any specimen
yet collected. The genus is therefore considered to be of uncertain
systematic position although a special family has been erected for
Phyllogigas and an apparently allied (if not identical) genus from South
Georgia, Himantothallus. Papenfuss had made a special plea for the
collection of large samples of Phyllogigas from any area in which it
might be encountered in the hopes of finding reproductive organs, and
thus elucidating its life history and proper systematic position. D616pine
and Hureau (1963) have pointed out that since specimens have now
been collected in January, February, April, May, September, October,
November and December without finding fertile fronds it seems possible
that reproduction takes place in the Antarctic winters, and collecting
samples at this period will be difficult.
Papenfuss has also pointed out that the systematic position of
Ascoseira, a monotypic genus confined to the Antarctic Peninsula and
South Georgia, is similarly uncertain, although here the reproductive
organs are known. They are unfortunately so anomalous that they do
not fit the recognized patterns.
B. Origin of Antarctic algae
Skottsberg (1964) speculated on the origin of the Antarctic algae.
During maximum periods of glaciation he believed that the marine
algae would be largely destroyed around the continent, but because of
lower water temperatures conditions off the present Subantarctic
Islands would have offered suitable habitats. The endemic Antarctic
genera probably belonged to the Subantarctic zone but moved south as
the ice receded.