Lithothamnion glaciale explained

Lithothamnion glaciale is the botanical name for a species of multicellular red algae of the genus Lithothamnion, subfamily Melobesioideae.

Description

Lithothamnion glaciale grows as an encrusting, chalky thallus, deep reddish in colour and up to 20cm in diameter and 4mm thick. It develops simple cylindrical branches growing to 15mm long and 4mm in diameter.^{[1] [2]}

Reproduction

These algae are dioecious, with domed spermatangial conceptacles, carpogonial conceptacles and carposporangial conceptacles.^[1]

Habitat

Epilithic on rock in low-littoral pools and in the sublittoral to 34m.^[1]

Notes and References

1. Irvine, L.M. and Chamberlain, Y.M.1994. Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 1 Rhodophyta Part 2B Corallinales, Hildenbrandiales. The Natural History Museum, London.
2. Morton, O. 1994. Marine Algae of Northern Ireland. Pl 12 Ulster Museum, Belfast.