Polysiphonia elongella

Summary

Polysiphonia elongella Harvey in W.J. Hooker [1] is a branched species of marine red algae in the genus in the Polysiphonia in the Rhodophyta.

Polysiphonia elongella
Illustration of "Polysiphonia elongella"
Illustration of Polysiphonia elongella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
(unranked): Archaeplastida
Division: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Ceramiales
Family: Rhodomelaceae
Genus: Polysiphonia
Species:
P. elongella
Binomial name
Polysiphonia elongella
Harvey

Description edit

This marine alga grows as small cylindrical thalli branching to about 10 cm long. It grows as an erect axis attached by a disk-like holdfast. The main axis is unbranched towards the base but bears lateral branches higher up. Each erect axes is composed of a polysiphonous axis with a central row of cells surrounded[2] 4 perixial cells all of the same length.[3] The branches, unlike Polysiphonia elongate, are only slightly constricted at their base.[3][4][5] Cortication filaments grow downwards in the grooves between the periaxial cells and lower down these form a complete cortication. Trichoblasts are borne near the apices.[3]

Reproduction edit

Globose cystocarps and bisporangia are recorded, the tetrasporangia are sparse.[3]

Habitat edit

Grows below low-water on sheltered shores.[1][6]

Distribution edit

The species is recorded from Ireland, Great Britain, including the Isle of Man, the Shetland Islands and the Channel Islands.[1] The few records from Northern Ireland are old and require confirmation.[7][3] Also recorded from France and the Mediterranean.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Hardy, F.G. and Guiry, M.D. 2003 A Checklist and Atlas of the Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. The British Phycological Society. ISBN 0-9527115-16
  2. ^ Jones, E. 1962 A key to the genera of British seaweeds reprinted from Field Studies Volume 1 (4) p23
  3. ^ 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
  4. ^ Newton, L. 1931. A Handbook of the British Seaweeds. British Museum London
  5. ^ Harvey, W.H. 1841. A Manual of the British Algae. London
  6. ^ Morton, O. 2003 The marine macroalgae of County Donegal, Ireland. Bulletin of the Irish Biogeographical Society no.27
  7. ^ Morton, O. 1994. Marine Algae of Northern Ireland. Ulster Museum ISBN 0-900761-28-8