Gastroclonium ovatum

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Gastroclonium ovatum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
(unranked): Archaeplastida
Division: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Rhodymeniales
Family: Champiaceae
Genus: Gastroclonium
Species:
G. ovatum
Binomial name
Gastroclonium ovatum
(Hudson) Papenfuss

Gastroclonium reflexum is a small red marine seaweed.

Description

Gastroclonium ovatum is a small alga which grows to 15 cm long. The branches are cylindrical, grow from a branched holdfast and branch irregularly. It shows short branches which are hollow with bladder-like or vesicle-like branches - rather elongate with a single joint. In colour it is dark purplish red.[1][2][3]

Habitat

Found in rock pools in the littoral or upper sublittoral, epilithic or epiphytic.[2]

Distribution

Recorded from the British Isles, Mauritania, Canary Islands[2] and the Channel Islands.[1]

Reproduction

The sexes are separate. The female cystocarps occur on the branches and the tetrasporangia in the cortex of the vesicles.[1]

Similar species

Gastroclonium reflexum distinguished by many branches being reflexed[2] and Chylocladia verticillata.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Bunker, F.StP.D., Brodie, J.A., Maggs, C.A. and Bunker, A.R. 2017 Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland Second Edition Wild Nature Press, Plymouth, UK ISBN 978-0-9955673-3-7
  2. ^ a b c d Irvine, L.M.1983. Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 1 Rhodophyta Part 2A Cryptomeniales (Sensu stricto) Palmariales, Rhodymeniales British Museum (Natural History) ISBN 0-565-00871-4
  3. ^ Dickinson, C.I. 1963, British Seaweeds The Kew Series