Polysiphonia fibrata is a species of Polysiphonia that grows as small dense tufted and finely branched marine alga in the Rhodophyta.
| Polysiphonia fibrata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Clade: | Archaeplastida |
| Division: | Rhodophyta |
| Class: | Florideophyceae |
| Order: | Ceramiales |
| Family: | Rhodomelaceae |
| Genus: | Polysiphonia |
| Species: | P. fibrata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Polysiphonia fibrata (Dillwyn) Harvey in W.J.Hooker
| |
Description
editThe branches of P. fibrate are numerous and much interwoven forming tufts up to 20 cm long. They are fine, terete, cylindrical, erect and dull brownish-red in colour. The branches consist of a central axis with 4 pericentral cells all of the same length as the axial cells. The branches become corticated near the base. Rhizoids and trichoblasts are abundant.[1]
Reproduction
editThe plants are dioecious. Spermatangia are borne near the tips of the branches. The cystocarps are clearly shortly stalked. Tetrasporangia are formed in the branches near the tips.[1]
Habitat
editTo be found on rock, limpets, mussels and on other algae in rock pools at mid-tide and low water.[1]
Distribution
editCommon around Britain including Shetland and Ireland.[2][1][3] Also recorded from Spain,[1] and France.[2]
Note
editOther species are similar to P. fibrata and difficult to distinguish.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f 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
- ^ a b Morton, O. 2003. The marine macroalgae of County Donegal, Ireland. Bulletin of the Irish Biogeographical Society. 27: p.85)
- ^ 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
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