Phyllophora sicula

Phyllophora sicula, the hand leaf bearer, is a small red marine alga.[1]

Phyllophora sicula
Scientific classification
(unranked): Archaeplastida
Division: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Gigartinales
Family: Phyllophoraceae
Genus: Phyllophora
Species:
P. sicula
Binomial name
Phyllophora sicula
(Kützing) Guiry & L.M.Irvine

Description

This small red alga grows to a length of 20 mm (0.8 in), erect from a disc shaped holdfast. It has a short, erect, terete stipe which expands as a flattened blade branching once or twice. The blades have a cartilaginous texture with a medulla of large cells within a cortex of one or two layers of small cells.[2][3]

Reproduction

Gametangial plants are unknown. Tetrasporangial patches occur in the center of the blade.[3]

Habitat

It is found in rock pools of the lower littoral and in the sublittoral to depths of 12 m (39 ft).[3]

Distribution

It is generally recorded from the southwest of Great Britain, Ireland, Portugal, and elsewhere in the Mediterranean.[3] The type locality is in Italy.[1]

References

  1. Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. (2021). "Phyllophora sicula". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  2. Dixon, P.S. and Irvine, L.M. 1977. Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 1 Rhodophyta Part 1 Introduction, Nemaliales, Gigartinales. British Museum, LondonISBN 0-565-00781-5
  3. Bunker F.StD., 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
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