Osmundea hybrida

Osmundea hybrida
Osmundea Hyprida
Scientific classification
Clade:	Archaeplastida
Division:	Rhodophyta
Class:	Florideophyceae
Order:	Ceramiales
Family:	Rhodomelaceae
Genus:	Osmundea
Species:	O. hybrida
Binomial name
Osmundea hybrida (A.P.de Candolle) K.W.Nam
Synonyms[1]
Fucus hybridus A.P.de Candolle 1805 Laurencia hybrida (A.P.de Candolle) T.Lestiboudois 1827 Laurencia caespitosa var. subsimplex Montagne Fucus pinnatifidus var. angustus Turner 1802 Laurencia caespitosa J.V.Lamouroux 1813 Laurencia pinnatifida var. angusta (Turner) Greville 1830

Osmundea hybrida is a fairly small marine red alga.

Description

Osmundea hybrida is small branched alga which grows from a holdfast to 15 mm long. The axes show a main axis with branches which may be spiral or irregular. The main axis may be slightly compressed with a medulla of cells surrounded by a cortex deep purplish-brown in colour. A small circular pit occurs at the apex of the branches.[2]

Habitat

Common but not as common as Osmundea pinnatifida.[3] Epilithic in the littoral on stones, rock and on limpets.[4][2]

Reproduction

Spermatangial receptacles, where the male gametes occur in small cups, are at the end of the side branches. Cystocarps are spherical and sessile and tetraspores are produced in small branchlets.[2]

Distribution

This alga is to be found all around the British Isles as far north as Shetland.[5] Further south it is recorded to Portugal.[2]

References

1. Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. (2019). "Osmundea hybrida". AlgaeBase. National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
2. Maggs, C.A. and Hommersand, M.H.1993 Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 1 Rhodophyta Part 3A CeramialesISBN 0 11 310045 0
3. Morton, O. 1994. Marine Algae of Northern Ireland. Ulster Museum.ISBN 0 900761 28 8
4. Newton, L. 1931.A Handbook of the British Seaweeds. British Museum (Natural History)
5. Hardy, F.G. and Guiry, M.D.2003. A Check-list and Atlas of the Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland British Phycological SocietyISBN 0 9527115 16