Everything about The Red Algae totally explained
The
red algae (Rhodophyta,, from
Greek:
ῥόδον (rhodon) = rose +
φυτόν (phyton) = plant, thus red plant) is a large group, about 5,000–6,000 species of mostly
multicellular,
marine algae, including many notable
seaweeds. Other references indicate 10,000 species. Most of the
coralline algae, which secrete
calcium carbonate and play a major role in building
coral reefs, belong here. Red algae such as
dulse (Palmaria palmata) and
laver (
nori/
gim) are a traditional part of
European and
Asian cuisine and are used to make other products like
agar,
carrageenans and other
food additives.
Fossil record
The oldest fossil identified as a red alga is also the oldest fossil
eukaryote that belongs to a specific modern
taxon.
Bangiomorpha pubescens, a multicellular fossil from arctic
Canada, strongly resembles the modern red alga
Bangia despite occurring in rocks dating to 1200 million years ago.
Red algae are important builders of limestone reefs. The earliest such
coralline algae, the solenopores, are known from the
Cambrian Period. Other algae of different origins filled a similar role in the late
Paleozoic, and in more recent reefs.
Taxonomy
The red algae are classified in the
Archaeplastida, along with the
glaucophytes and
Viridiplantae (green algae and land plants).
Below are two valid published taxonomies of the red algae, although neither necessarily has to be used, as the taxonomy of the algae is still in a state of flux (with classification above the level of
order having received little scientific attention for most of the 20th century). If one defines the kingdom Plantae to mean the Archaeplastida, the red algae will be part of that kingdom; but if Plantae are defined more narrowly, to be the Viridiplantae, then the red algae might be considered their own kingdom
!
Classification system according to
Saunders and Hommersand 2004 and Porphyra are the best known in the British Isles.
In East and Southeast Asia, agar is most commonly produced from Gelidium amansii.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Red Algae'.
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