Domain Eukaryota Class Rhodophyceae Family Champiaceae Scientific name Gastroclonium reflexum | Division Rhodophyta Order Rhodymeniales Species G. reflexum Rank Genus | |
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Similar Rhodymeniales, Plocamium, Rhodothamniella, Chondracanthus, Osmundea pinnatifida | ||
Description
This small alga grows to about 6 cm long: the fronds grow from a branched holdfast are reflexed and form haptera where they meet the rock. The branches are hollow, terete to 6 cm long and constricted by septa giving a beaded appearance. The secondary branching is dichotomous, distichous. In colour they are dark purplish red. The species is very similar to Chylocladia verticillata with which it may be confused. Spermatangia, cystocarps and polysporangia have been recorded.
Distribution
Gastroclonium is widely distributed in the north Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, where it grows epilithically or epiphytically in the littoral or sublittoral zones.
In Great Britain, it has been recorded from Cornwall, Devon, Sussex, Pembrokeshire and Glamorgan. It was first recorded from Ireland by W.H.Harvey as Chylocladia reflexa Leorm. and published in 1846. Outside the British Isles, Gastroclonium has been recorded from the Channel Islands, Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean Sea, Namibia, Morocco and South Africa.
Records
Specimens collected from Lough Swilly by W. Sawers in 1854 are now preserved in the Ulster Museum (BEL) (F7058; F7059 and F7060) were redetermined as Chylocladia verticillata by Guiry as Chylocladia verticillata.