Lithophyllum

Lithophyllum
L. orbiculatum on a rock fragment; rock length ~3 cm.
Scientific classification
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Corallinales
Family: Corallinaceae
Subfamily: Lithophylloideae
Genus: Lithophyllum
Philippi, 1837
Species

120 species, see text.

Lithophyllum is a genus of thalloid alga comprising 120 species. The monomerous, crustose thalli are composed of a single system of filaments which grow close to the underlying surface. Lithophyllum reproduces by means of conceptacles. The epithallus is periodically shed to avoid organisms growing on top of the alga.[1]

Species

Perithallus
Hypothallus
Underlying rock
Undersurface of Lithophyllum orbiculatum, showing hypothallus and perithallus
Lithophyllum okamurae

The valid species currently considered to belong to this genus are:

References

  • Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. (2008). "Lithophyllum". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  1. Johnson, C.; Mann, K. (1986). "The crustose coralline alga, Phymatolithon Foslie, inhibits the overgrowth of seaweeds without relying on herbivores". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 96: 127. doi:10.1016/0022-0981(86)90238-8.

External links

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