CorallineAlgae
Coralline Algae
Description
Coralline algae are usually pink or red, but they can be other colors as well, including gray, green, blue, yellow, and purple.
This alga takes two main morphological forms. These forms are called branching (geniculate or articulated) and encrusting (non-geniculate or non-articulated). The branching form protrudes from the substrate on which the alga is situated whereas the encrusting form grows along the surface of the substrate.
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.