Abstract:
Fan-shaped, flabellate and rosette like fronds of a brown alga Lobophora J. Agardh were collected from various coastal
areas of Karachi (Pakistan) and taxonomically investigated. This study revealed the presence of two species i.e. L. variegata
(Lamouroux) Womersley ex Oliveira and a new species L. prostrata Aisha et Shameel. The black brown coloured
specimens of the new species were found prostratly attached with the rocks by their lower surface. They contained a central
layer of large rectangular cells in cortical region, peripheral part in the upper surface having small squarish cells but lower
surface without any peripheral cells. In lower part of the thallus, each cell produced rhizoidal filaments, which were globular
and contained rectangular cells
