CorallineAlgae

Coralline Algae

Description

usually pink or red, can be other colors as well (gray, green, blue, yellow, purple)

can take various forms, including branching (geniculate or articulated) and encrusting (non-geniculate or non-articulated)

---

Classification

Kingdom: Protista

Division: Rhodophyta (red algae)

Class: Rhodophyceae

Subclass: Florideae

Order: Corallinales

Family: Coralinaceae (Coralline algae)

---

Habitat/Location

inhabit intertidal and subtidal coastal areas

non-geniculate algae must live on bedrock or some type of substrate, such as an animal shells (or on top of other algae)

geniculate algae commonly live on substrates but can also be unattached

live in range of light (depth of 0-270 m)

can tolerate varying levels of water salinity, although they do not live in freshwater

also popular for aquariums

---

Biology

can perform sexual or asexual reproduction

mineralogy: calcite (calcium carbonate, CaCO3)

this compound sometimes contains Mg as well

fouling: sloughing off outer layer of cells

coralline algae performs fouling in order to compete with algae attempting to grow on top of preexisting coralline algae, eliminate burrowing organisms in outer layer, and renew damaged tissue and reproductive cells

---

Ecology

typically epiphytes

promote herbivores and invertebrates by producing chemicals that attract herbivore larval settlement, and by providing habitat for small reef animals and invertebrates

parrot fish and mollusks eat coralline algae

calcite production binds reefs together and is crucial to the structure of reef systems

---

Environmental Significance

useful for fossil dating

commonly found on reefs, but reefs are becoming endangered

extracted for economic use-- geniculate algae are especially targeted

used for soil conditioner, animal food additive, pharmaceutical products

---

Sources

Cabioch, J. "Morphogenesis and Generic Concepts in Coralline Algae — a Reappraisal." Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen Helgolander Meeresunters 42.3-4 (1988): 493-509. Web.

"Coralline Algae." Coralline Algae. California State University, Fullerton, n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2016

Johansen, H. William. Morphology and Systematics of Coralline Algae with Special Reference to Calliarthron. Berkeley: U of California, 1969. Print.

Keats, D.w., M.a. Knight, and C.m. Pueschel. "Antifouling Effects of Epithallial Shedding in Three Crustose Coralline Algae (Rhodophyta, Coralinales) on a Coral Reef." Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 213.2 (1997): 281-93. Web.

Martin, Sophie. "Marine Coralline Algae." Marine Coralline Algae. The Encyclopedia of Earth, 15 June 2014. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.

Steneck, R. "The Ecology of Coralline Algal Crusts: Convergent Patterns and Adaptative Strategies." Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 17.1 (1986): 273-303. Web. 1 Mar. 2016.

Woelkerling, W. J. M.H. Foslie and the Corallinaceae: An Analysis and Indexes. Vaduz: J. Cramer, 1984. Print.