Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Asparagopsis armata

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Division
  
Rhodophyta

Order
  
Bonnemaisoniales

Genus
  
Asparagopsis

Rank
  
Species

Class
  
Florideophyceae

Family
  
Bonnemaisoniaceae

Scientific name
  
Asparagopsis armata

Asparagopsis armata wwwmarlinacukassetsimagesmarlinspeciesweb

Similar
  
Asparagopsis, Asparagopsis taxiformis, Bonnemaisoniales, Bonnemaisoniaceae, Forkweed

Asparagopsis armata is a marine red algae species. It was first described in 1855 by Harvey, who found the algae on the Western Australian coast. Native to the Southern hemisphere, it has been introduced to the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Asparagopsis armata European Marine Life Photo of Asparagopsis armata Harpoon weed

Its life cycle has two distinct phases:

  • the gametophyte phase occurs in Europe between June and September. It is pale purple-red, and it has 1 mm wide and up to 200 mm long irregularly branched thalli. The lower branchlets have characteristic harpoon-like barbs.
  • the tetrasporophyte phase (previously identified as Falkenbergia rufolanosa) occurs in Europe all year round. It is brownish red, branched and filamentous and grows in 15 mm diameter tufts.

    • Asparagopsis armata Asparagopsisarmataajpg

    Asparagopsis armata Asparagopsis armata Harvey Algaebase

    Asparagopsis armata Asparagopsis armata Harvey Algaebase

    Asparagopsis armata Red Harpoon Seaweed

    References

    Asparagopsis armata Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA