A new genus Phyllophorella gen. nov. (Phyllophoraceae, Rhodophyta) from central Peru, including Phyllophorella peruviana comb. nov., Phyllophorella humboldtiana sp. nov., and Phyllophorella limaensis sp. nov.

We investigated fresh collections and an isotype of Phyllophora peruviana from central Peru using morphology and sequencing the plastid rbcL gene. In the rbcL phylogenetic tree, P. peruviana consisted of three genetic groups, forming a clade. As this P. peruviana clade was distantly related to Phyllophora including the generitype Phyllophora crispa and also distinct from other genera in the Phyllophoraceae, we describe Phyllophorella peruviana gen. et comb. nov. and two new species, Phyllophorella humboldtiana sp. nov. and Phyllophorella limaensis sp. nov. The genus Phyllophorella is distinguished from Phyllophora by a compressed stipe rather than a terete stipe, and tetrasporangia in nemathecia rather than sori scattered over the thallus surface. Phyllophorella humboldtiana sp. nov. is characterized by broad blades with slightly lobate margins. Phyllophorella limaensis sp. nov. is recognized by its small, ligulate blades. Phyllophorella peruviana is distinguished by dichotomo-flabellate blades that arise from a short compressed stipe. All three species of Phyllophorella are currently known only from Peru but may be more widely distributed.