Polysiphonia elongata

Polysiphonia elongata is a small red marine algae in the Rhodophyta.

Polysiphonia elongata
herbarium specimen of Polysiphonia elongata
Scientific classification
(unranked): Archaeplastida
Division: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Ceramiales
Family: Rhodomelaceae
Genus: Polysiphonia
Species:
P. elongata
Binomial name
Polysiphonia elongata
(Hudson) Sprengel

Description

Polysiphonia elongata is a small red alga which, unlike some other species of Polysiphonia, does not grow as tufts. It has erect cylindrical main branches and is densely branched growing to a height of 30 cm. The main branches bear lateral branches, each branch consists of a central axes of cells with four periaxial cells. These periaxial cells are arranged in an elongated manner all of the same length around the central axial cells. Cortical branches develop growing downwards in the grooves between the periaxial cells and increasing the thickness of the major branch. The final branches are pointed at the apex and attenuate at their base.[1] Trichoblasts are few. It grows attached by a disk-like holdfast.[2]

Habitat

P. elongata grows intertidally and sublittorally on rock,[3] stones and artificial material also on other algae.[2]

Reproduction

The plants are dioecious. Spermatangial branchlets are borne near the apices of young branches. Cystocarps are ovoid and slightly stalked. Tetraspores occur in spiral series in the upper branches.[2]

Distribution

P. elongata is common around Ireland,[4]Great Britain including the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Shetland Islands.[3] In the Atlantic from Norway to the Mediterranean and in New England.[2]

References
  1. Bunker, F. StP.D., Maggs, C.A., Bunker, A.R. 2017. Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. Second Edition. Wild Nature Press, Plymouth. ISBN 978-0-99556733-7
  2. Maggs, C.A. 1993 Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 1 Rhodophyta Part 3A Ceramiales. HMSO ISBN 0-11-3100450
  3. Hardy, F.G. and Guiry, M.D. 2003. A Check-list and Atlas of the Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. The British Phycological Society. ISBN 0-9527115-16
  4. Morton, O. 1994.Marine Algae of Northern Ireland. Ulster Museum, ISBN 0-900761-28-8
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