Brongniartella byssoides

Brongniartella byssoides
Scientific classification
Clade:	Archaeplastida
Division:	Rhodophyta
Class:	Florideophyceae
Order:	Ceramiales
Family:	Rhodomelaceae
Genus:	Brongniartella
Species:	B. byssoides
Binomial name
Brongniartella byssoides (Goodenough & Woodward) F.Schmitz

Brongniartella byssoides (Goodenough & Woodward) Schmitz [1](Vertebrata byssoides)[2] is a small red marine alga.

Description

Brongniartella byssoides is a small brownish-red marine alga which grows to a length of about 30 cm. It consists of tufts of erect axes. The erect axes are polysiphonous, that is each axes is composed of axial cells each covered with periaxial cells without cortication.[2] All the branches produce secondary lateral branches which produce the ultimate final monosiphonous ramuli.[3][4] The mature thallus pyramidal in shape.[1] The plants are attacked by rhizoids with disc-like bases.[2]

Reproduction

The species is dioecious, the sexes occur on separate plants, with clusters of spermatangial branches, sessile cystocarps and tetrasporangia.[1]

Distribution

Widespread around the British Isles including the Isle of Man and the Shetland Islands.[5] Recorded also from Norway to Portugal and the Mediterranean.[1]

References

1. Maggs, C.A. and Hommersand, M.H. 1993. Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 1 Rghodophyta Part 3A Ceramiales. The Natural History Museum, London ISBN 0-11-310045-0
2. Bunker, F.StP., D. Maggs, C.A., Brodie, J.A. and Bunker, A.R. 2017 Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. Second edition Wild Nature Press, Plymouth. UK ISBN 978-0-9955673-3-7
3. Dickinson, C.I. 1963. British Seaweeds. The Kew Series. Eyre & Spottiswoode
4. Newton, L. 1931. A Handbook of the British Seaweeds. British Museum, London
5. Hardy, F.G. and Guiry, M.D. 2003 A Check-list and Atlas of the Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. The British Phycological Society. ISBN 0-9527115-16