Rhodophyta

Species 1:

Red Coralline Algae - Coralliarthron sp

Many types of Red coralline algae in Kelp forest, but one specific one is:
- Arthrocardia corymbosa(3)
Found under the kelp canopy, on attached to the ocean floor(2)

Niche: Prevents other species of algae from growing(1)

Adaptations:(1)

Hard, coral like cell wall which makes it hard to eat and protects it from rough wave action
Can survive in low light: under kelp canopy, there isn't much like
- Too much light can bleach and kill it

Life Cycle:(2)

Has a three-phase life cycle
- free living
- haploid gametophytes
- diploid carposporophytes and diploid tetrasporophytes
Asexual - releases spores and parts of body

Species 2: Red Marine Algae or Asparagopsis Taxiformis

Habitat: Grows underwater on reefs below kelp forests in warm climates. (2)

Niche: They are producers, as they make their own food through photosynthesis. (2)

Adaptation: Development of phycoerythrin, which reflects red pigments and absorbs blue light. This pigment allows for the red marine algae to live in deeper ocean waters. (4)

Life Cycle:

Sources:

1. McCoy, Sophie J., and Nicholas A. Kamenos. "Coralline Algae (Rhodophyta) in a Changing World: Integrating Ecological, Physiological, and Geochemical Responses to Global Change." Journal of Phycology. February 2015. Accessed January 05, 2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4964943/.

2. "Niche, Habitat and Distribution - GramVal Island." Google Sites. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2017. <https://sites.google.com/site/gramvalisland/home/week-three--impacts-of-aquatic-flora--phytoplankton/niche-habitat-and-distribution>.

3. "Red Algae." Red Algae. Accessed January 05, 2017. http://lifeofplant.blogspot.com/2011/01/red-algae.html.

4. "Red Coralline Alga." Red Coralline Alga, Kelp Forest, Plants & Algae, Calliarthron Sp at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Accessed January 05, 2017. https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animal-guide/plants-and-algae/red-coralline-alga.

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