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Coralline algae are red algae in the order Corallinales. They are characterized by a thallus that is hard because of calcareous deposits contained within the cell walls. The colors of these algae are most typically pink, or some other shade of red, but some species can be purple, yellow, blue, white, or gray-green.
The stable symbiotic relationship between corals and their algae symbionts (mainly dinoflagellates) is crucial for the survival of tropical and subtropical coral reef ecosystems. Through photosynthesis, these algae provide over 90% of the nutrients corals require, meeting their essential nutritional needs.
Algae (UK: / ˈ æ l ɡ iː / AL-ghee, US: / ˈ æ l dʒ iː / AL-jee; [3] sg.: alga / ˈ æ l ɡ ə / AL-gə) is an informal term for any organisms of a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotes, which include species from multiple distinct clades.
Coralline means 'resembling coral' and may refer to: Coralline algae, or corallines, red algae that produce calcareous deposits; Less commonly, organisms that resemble coral, such as certain bryozoans, hydrozoans, or coralline sponges; The calcareous material in coral reefs; Coralline rock, produced by coralline algae; Something having a red ...
The Corallinaceae are one of the two extant Coralline families of red algae; they are differentiated from the morphologically similar Sporolithaceae by their formation of grouped sporangial chambers, clustered into sori. [2] The Corallinoideae is monophyletic; the other subfamilies form another monophyletic group. [3]
Coral and microscopic algae have a symbiotic relationship. When water temperatures get too high, the algae leave the coral tissue and the coral begins to starve. [20] Climate change will affect coral reef ecosystems, through sea level rise, changes to the frequency and intensity of tropical storms, and altered ocean circulation patterns.
Algae constitute a polyphyletic group since they do not include a common ancestor, and although their chlorophyll-bearing plastids seem to have a single origin (from symbiogenesis with cyanobacteria), they were acquired in different ways. Green algae are a prominent example of algae that have primary chloroplasts derived from endosymbiont ...
Maerl off the coast of the Isle of Arran Calcified remains of maerl, on the "coral beach" in the Isle of Skye Maerl in Lanildut. Pieces of popcorn-like maerl from Fuerteventura island. Maerl (also rhodolith) is a collective name for non-geniculate coralline red algae with a certain growth habit. [1] Maerl grows at a rate of c. 1 mm per year. [2]