The carbohydrate altritol in Bifurcariopsis capensis, Hormosira banksii, Notheia anomala and Xiphophora chondrophylla (Fucales, Phaeophyta) from the southern hemisphere

The distribution of altritol (talitol), an isomer of the hexitol, mannitol, was studied in species thought to be closely related to Himanthalia elongata, in which it is already known to occur. Natural abundance 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has shown its existence in a further four species endemic to the southern hemisphere: Notheia anomala, Hormosira banksis and Xiphophora chondrophylla, from Australia, and Bijurcariopsis capensis from South Africa. H. banksis, X. chondrophylla and B. capensis all exhibit ‘primitive’ fucalean characters. N. anomala has also been shown to have characteristics common to some members of the Fucales. Therefore the distribution of altritol supports recent views on the relationships between these species and the origin of the Fucales.