The results of a recently published Journal of Phycology "online early" article were highlighted on the BBC news website.
The deep water green seaweeds Palmophyllum and Verdigellas formed an ancient lineage within the Viridiplantae (green algae and land plants) based on molecular phylogenetic analyses. These macrophyte seaweeds are comprised of spherical cells encased in a gelatinous matrix. The DNA sequence data was obtained at California State University, Fresno by Frederick W. Zechman and Matt Ashworth.Palmophyllum and Verdigellas were placed into a new green alga order Palmophyllales.
Congratulations to Rick Zechman and his coauthors!