Asparagopsis armata

Asparagopsis armata is a marine red algae species. It was first described in 1855 by Harvey, who found the algae on the Western Australian coast.[1] Native to the Southern hemisphere, it has been introduced to the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Asparagopsis armata
(Diplodus vulgaris). In the background, Asparagopsis armata
Scientific classification
(unranked): Archaeplastida
Division: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Bonnemaisoniales
Family: Bonnemaisoniaceae
Genus: Asparagopsis
Species:
A. armata
Binomial name
Asparagopsis armata
Synonyms

Falkenbergia rufolanosa

Its life cycle has two distinct phases:[1]

  • the gametophyte phase occurs in Europe between June and September. It is pale purple-red, and it has 1 mm wide and up to 200 mm long irregularly branched thalli. The lower branchlets have characteristic harpoon-like barbs.
  • the tetrasporophyte phase (previously identified as Falkenbergia rufolanosa) occurs in Europe all year round. It is brownish red, branched and filamentous and grows in 15 mm diameter tufts.

References

  • Ní Chualáin, F.; Maggs, C.A.; Saunders, G.W. & Guiry, M.D. (2004). "The invasive genus Asparagopsis (Bonnemaisoniaceae, Rhodophyta): molecular systematics, morphology, and ecophysiology of Falkenbergia isolates". Journal of Phycology. 40 (6): 1112–1126. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8817.2004.03135.x.
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