by Michael Rasser

Five pages will give you an introduction to the anatomy and taxonomy of present-day encrusting coralline algae.

More details are available from the Mainpage

CORALLINE RED ALGAE - WHAT IS THIS?

Encrusting coralline algae (Families Sporolithaceae and Corallinaceae, belonging to the Rhodophyta) are characterized by calcified cell walls forming a rigid skeleton. Living coralline algae have a red thallus surface ("thallus" = plant body), which is caused by the red pigments (therefore, they belong to the Red Algae).

Coralline algae are one of the most abundant carbonate producers. Encrusting corallines are expected to be important binders and encrusters in present-day and fossil reefs.

In addition to their binding function in coral reefs, encrusting coralline algae may also form "algal reefs".

However, not all of the taxa need a stable substrate. Coralline algae may also form unattached nodules (= rhodoliths) and their branches may form thick sediment accumulations (= maerl).

THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF CORALLINE ALGAE

Erect forms, composed of flexible branches (geniculate coralline algae)

Encrusting forms (non-geniculate, encrusting coralline algae)

Only the latter are regarded in this homepage!

geniculate coralline algae nongeniculate (encrusting)

image from D. Keats

The next page will show you, how nongeniculate algae are composed.