The Paleocene genus Uglasiella Segonzac, 1979 (green algae, Dasycladales) and comparison with allied taxa

A re-description of the Thanetian dasycladalean green alga Uglasiella aurigerensis Segonzac, type-species of the monospecific genus Uglasiella, is presented. The material was collected at Carla de Roquefort (Plantaurel Massif, Ariège, Southern France), not far from the type-locality (Espéraza, Aude, Southern France). The alga shows a moniliform thallus, long akrophorous primary laterals set in moderate close whorls and bearing short secondary phloiophorous laterals forming a cortex. Contrary to the protologue, no tertiary laterals are observed; therefore, an emendation of the genus Uglasiella is proposed. Linoporella spissa is transferred to the genus Uglasiella, as well as Linoporella parva is considered a synonym of the former species; the genus Linoporella Steinmann is discussed. Lastly, Uglasiella and allied genera, particularly Balkhanella Srivastava and Steinmanniporella Bucur, Granier and Schlagintweit, are compared.