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Description: |
Thallus habit: erect, bushy; endophytic base on other calcareous algae (particularly on Lithophyllum species). Size: 2-4 cm high. Branching: dichotomous, regular and "geometric" (angle of about 90°); branch junctions usually not coinciding with intergenicula. Branches lying on different planes, slightly swollen apices. Intergenicula: cylindrical with rare annular swellings, tapered on upper part of fronds (1-4 (4.5) mm long, 0.25-0.6 mm in lower diameter, upper diameter 0.15-0.18 mm). Genicula: 1 row of medullary cells (120-160 µm long) with ends reed-like. Colour of living specimen: dark red to pink violet (rare), apart from lighter apices due to annular ridges. Colour of dried specimen: as previous (rarely lighter colours). Medulla: 1 row of long cells: 75-160 (190) µm long with an alternation of 1 row of short cells: (20) 30-70 µm long; cells near genicula 10-35 µm long. Cortex: 10-40 µm thick; cells 7-10 µm long, in distinct rows. Cell connections: secondary pit-connections. Original publication: Zanardini, G. (1844). Corallinee. Enciclopedia Italiana (Venezia) 6: 1013-1036.  Download PDF from Algaebase
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| Biogeography |
NE Atlantic (from France to Senegal); Mediterranean. |
| Life Cycle |
Gametangial conceptacles: spermatangial conceptacles slightly raised, hemispherical; 200 mm in diameter. Tetra/bisporangial conceptacles: lateral, hemispherical, raised; 300-400 mm in diameter x 100-200 mm high. |
| References |
Rosas-Alquicira, E. F., Riosmena-Rodríguez, R. & Neto, A. I. (2010). Typification and status of Amphiroa cryptarthrodia Zanardini (Lithophylloideae, Corallinales, Rhodophyta). Phycological Research 58: 248-257. |
| Habitat: |
On the rocks in sheltered waters where they often form large lawns, in the same station A. rigid (but less frequently). Also reported in tide pools. |
