Balliella Shameelii sp. nov. (ceramiales,rhodophycota) in the coastal waters of northern Arabian Sea

The feather-like thalli of the red alga; balliella shameelii shahnaz sp. nov. were collected as drift material from the seashore waters at buleji,the coastal area near karachi (pakistan) during february and march,2012. it was investigated in detail morphologically and cytologically including reproduction. this is the first report of occurrence of the genus balliella itono et t. tanaka in the coastal waters of pakistan. the new species is characterized by the development of alternate laterals on every 2nd or 3rd axial cell. © 2014,pakistan botanical society. all rights reserved