| Calliarthron | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Archaeplastida |
| Division: | Rhodophyta |
| Class: | Rhodophyceae |
| Subclass: | Nemaliophycidae |
| Order: | Corallinales |
| Family: | Corallinaceae |
| Subfamily: | Corallinoideae |
| Genus: | Calliarthron Manza, 1937 |
Calliarthron is a genus containing four species of thalloid intertidal[1] alga. Specimens can reach around 30 cm in size. The thalli take a crustose form. The organisms lack secondary pit connections. Calliarthron reproduces by means of conceptacles; it produces tetraspores, dispores and carpospores. The genus has lignin and contains secondary cell walls, traits which are normally associated with the vascular plants.[1] It is similar to the genus Bossiella.[2]
Calliarthron is calcified, but has uncalcified joints to allow it to flex in response to the waves to which it is subjected.[1] These joints start out calcified, and decalcify as they grow older.[1] After decalcifying they grow much longer, then fatten themselves out much in same way as xylem formation results in secondary walls.[1]
The 4 species currently recognised are: