Haraldiophyllum hawaiiense sp. nov. (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta): a new mesophotic genus record for the Hawaiian Islands

Researchers have identified Haraldiophyllum hawaiiense as a new species of mesophotic alga and the first record of its genus in the Hawaiian Islands, specifically within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. This discovery was supported by morphological analysis and molecular phylogenetics, including sequences from the plastidial rbcL gene and nuclear LSU rRNA gene. The species is distinct within the genus Haraldiophyllum, though its placement remains debated due to the paraphyletic nature of the genus. The study underscores the biodiversity of mesophotic coral ecosystems, advocating for further exploration to uncover hidden marine life in these understudied depths.

Paiano, M. O., Huisman, J. M., Cabrera, F. P., Spalding, H. L., Kosaki, R. K., & Sherwood, A. R. (2020). Haraldiophyllum hawaiiense sp. nov. (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta): a new mesophotic genus record for the Hawaiian Islands. Algae, 35(4), 337–347. https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2020.35.11.5