Polysiphonia fibrata

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Polysiphonia fibrata is a species of Polysiphonia that grows as small dense tufted and finely branched marine alga in the Rhodophyta.

Polysiphonia fibrata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
(unranked): Archaeplastida
Division: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Ceramiales
Family: Rhodomelaceae
Genus: Polysiphonia
Species:
P. fibrata
Binomial name
Polysiphonia fibrata
(Dillwyn) Harvey in W.J.Hooker

Description edit

The branches of P. fibrate are numerous and much interwoven forming tufts up to 20 cm long. They are fine, terete, cylindrical, erect and dull brownish-red in colour. The branches consist of a central axis with 4 pericentral cells all of the same length as the axial cells. The branches become corticated near the base. Rhizoids and trichoblasts are abundant.[1]

Reproduction edit

The plants are dioecious. Spermatangia are borne near the tips of the branches. The cystocarps are clearly shortly stalked. Tetrasporangia are formed in the branches near the tips.[1]

Habitat edit

To be found on rock, limpets, mussels and on other algae in rock pools at mid-tide and low water.[1]

Distribution edit

Common around Britain including Shetland and Ireland.[2][1][3] Also recorded from Spain,[1] and France.[2]

Note edit

Other species are similar to P. fibrata and difficult to distinguish.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Maggs, C.A. and Hommersand, M.H. 1993. Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 1 Rhodophyta Part 3A Ceramiales The Natural History Museum, London ISBN 0-11-310045-0
  2. ^ a b Morton, O. 2003. The marine macroalgae of County Donegal, Ireland. Bulletin of the Irish Biogeographical Society. 27: p.85)
  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