Polysiphonia elongella
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 | |
Scientific classification | |
(unranked): | Archaeplastida |
Division: | Rhodophyta |
Class: | Florideophyceae |
Order: | Ceramiales |
Family: | Rhodomelaceae |
Genus: | Polysiphonia |
Species: | P. elongella |
Binomial name | |
Polysiphonia elongella Harvey | |
Description
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
Globose cystocarps and bisporangia are recorded, the tetrasporangia are sparse.[3]
Distribution
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
- 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
- Jones, E. 1962 A key to the genera of British seaweeds reprinted from Field Studies Volume 1 (4) p23
- 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
- Newton, L. 1931. A Handbook of the British Seaweeds. British Museum London
- Harvey, W.H. 1841. A Manual of the British Algae. London
- Morton, O. 2003 The marine macroalgae of County Donegal, Ireland. Bulletin of the Irish Biogeographical Society no.27
- Morton, O. 1994. Marine Algae of Northern Ireland. Ulster Museum ISBN 0-900761-28-8