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Species: |
Lithothamnion corallioides |
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Authority: |
(P.L.Crouan & H.M.Crouan) P.L.Crouan & H.M.Crouan |
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Description: |
An unattached, fragile, alga with a calcareous skeleton. It is very similar to and often confused with Phymatolithon calcareum. Its form is very variable but it commonly occurs as highly branched nodules forming a 3-D lattice. Individual plants may reach 4 - 5 cm across and are bright pink in colour when alive but white when dead. Unattached, un-jointed coralline algae.Bright pink in colour when live, grey white when dead.Often complex lattice with branches typically less than 1 mm in diameter.Very brittle.Branches covered in low mounds.Surface slightly glossy.Link for MarLIN Original publication: Crouan, P.L. & Crouan, H.M. (1867). Florule du Finistère contenant les descriptions de 360 espèces nouvelles de sporogames, de nombreuses observations et une synonymic des plantes cellulaires et vasculaires qui croissent spontanément dans ce département, accompagnées de trente-deux planches où est représentée l'organographie, faite sur l'état vif, des fruits et des tissus de 198 genres d'algues avec la plante grandeur naturelle ou réduite plus une planche supplémentaire où sont figures 24 champignons nouveaux. pp. [i]-x, [1]-262, frontisp., pi. 1-31, + 1 suppl. pl., coloured liths. by H. Crouan. Paris & Brest: Friedrich Klincksieck & J.B. et A. Lefournier.  Download PDF from Algaebase
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| Biogeography |
NE Atlantic (Norway to Mauritania); Mediterranean. |
| Life Cycle |
Gametangial conceptacles: spermatangial not raised, ovoidal, flattened, 360 µm diameter x 150 µm high; carpogonial raised ovoidal flattened, 250-280 µm diameter x 100-120 µm high. Tetra/bisporangial conceptacles: multiporate, immersed, 300-400 µm diameter (very rare). Old conceptacles become buried in the thallus. |
| Uses and compounds |
Provide pharmacological activity - used as a constituent of pharmaceutical preparations Terrestrial plant production - fertiliser |
| References |
Hall-Spencer, J.M. (1995). Lithothamnion corallioides (P. & H. Crouan) P. & H. Crouan may not extend into Scottish waters. Coralline News 20: 1-3.
Hamberg, M., Gerwick, W.H. & Åsen, P.A. (1992). Linoleic acid metabolism in the red alga Lithothamnion corallioides - biosynthesis of 11(R)-Hydroxy-9(Z), 12(Z)-octadecadienoic acid. Lipids 27(7): 487-493.
Mendoza, M.L. & Cabioch, J. (1998). Étude comparée de la reproduction de Phymatolithon calcareum (Pallas) Adey & McKibbin et Lithothamnion corallioides (P. & H. Crouan) P. & H. Crouan (Corallinales, Rhodophyta), et reconsidérations sur la définition des genres. Canadian Journal of Botany 76: 1433-1445.
Peña, V. & Bárbara, I. (2004). Diferenciación morfológica y anatómica entre Lithothamnion corallioides y Phymatolithon calcareum (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) en dos bancos de maërl de la Ría de Arousa (N.O. Península Ibérica). Anales de Biología 26: 21-27.
Potin, P., Floc'h, J. Y., Augris, C. & Cabioch, J. (1990). Annual growth rate of the calcareous red alga Lithothamnion corallioides (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) in the Bay of Brest, France. Proceedings of the International Seaweed Symposium 13: 263-267. |
| Habitat: |
Typically found at less than 20 m depth on sand, mud or gravel substrata in areas that are protected from strong wave action but have moderate to high water flow. Usually found as unattached plants |
