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About Rhodophyta:
There are around 6,500 to 10,000 species of Red Algae with sizes ranging from microscopic to large and fleshy. The red color of the algae comes from a pigment called phycobiliproteins. Red Algae grows slow compared to Green Algae (Chlorophyta). They can reproduce asexually and sexually. Red algae are found in all the regions of the world growing attached to the bottom or other hard surfaces. They are grazed by herbivores such as fish, crustaceans, worms and gastropods. Red algae are common to deeper waters of the reef ecosystem, where their specialized pigments allow them to capture the little sunlight available.
Crustose Coralline Algae
Size: 1 to 18 in. (2.5 to 45 cm)
Depth: 0-200 ft. (0-60 m)
Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are rock-hard calcareous red algae that fulfill two key functional roles in coral reef ecosystems: they contribute significantly to reef calcification and cementation, and they induce larval settlement of many benthic organisms.
CCA cover is affected by the amount of sediment deposited, water clarity, and the steepness of the reef slopes.
Red algae reproduce through sexeual reproduction. What is unique about most species of red algae is that they have a cycle with three alternations of generations. The picture to the right more clearly shows the breakdown of the stages of reproduction.
The pigment that red algae possess has allowed them to grow at greater depths, while still being able to harvest enough light to carry out photosynthesis.
Wrangelia penicillata
Size: 4 to 8 in. (10 to 20 cm)
Depth: 3-50 ft. (1-15 m)
Wrangelia penicillata or pink bush algae, grows from shallow waters to moderately depths, attached to nearly any hard substrate. Found from Florida all the Caribbean Sea , Central America to Brazil.
Charpin, Florent. "Caribbean Reefs." Pink Bush Alga - Wrangelia penicillata - Red Algae - - Caribbean Reefs. Accessed January 10, 2017. http://reefguide.org/carib/pinkbushalga.html.
"Coral Reef Plants." Coral Reef Plants | Common Plant Life of Coral Reef Ecosystems. Accessed January 10, 2017. http://www.coral-reef-info.com/coral-reef-plants.html.
Fabricius, Katharina, Dr. "Crustose coralline algae and sedimentation." Crustose coralline algae and sedimentation | eAtlas. Accessed January 10, 2017. http://eatlas.org.au/content/crustose-coralline-algae-and-sedimentation.
"I cant get rid of this pink algae!!!" Reef Central Online Community RSS. Accessed January 10, 2017. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1508997.
"Marine Algae." Marine Algae. Accessed January 10, 2017. http://www.mesa.edu.au/marine_algae/algae03.asp.
"Pink Bush Alga." Project Noah. Accessed January 10, 2017. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/10767363.
"What is a Marine Protected Area Anyway?" Sailors for the Sea. March 18, 2016. Accessed January 10, 2017. http://www.sailorsforthesea.org/programs/ocean-watch/what-marine-protected-area-anyway.
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