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Aphanta ligulata Huisman, G.H.Boo & S.M.Boo

Reference
Algae of Australia: Marine Benthic Algae of North-western Australia, 2. Red Algae 262-263, Pl. 8C, Fig. 75A-D (2018)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Native to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Scientific Description

Habit and structure. Thallus forming a low turf, dark red, with terete prostrate axes bearing flattened ligulate simple erect axes to 3.5 cm tall, to 3 mm wide and 100–120 µm thick. Structure uniaxial, with a prominent dome or wedge-shaped apical cell; in section with a medulla of longitudinal filaments and cortex of 3 or 4 layers of progressively smaller pigmented cells. Inner layer cells 10–15 µm diam. Outer cortical cells in surface view mostly isodiametric, 5–12 µm diam., in section cuboidal or slightly broader than long. Rhizines in the medulla, often in bundles, c. 5 µm diam. Reproductive structures not observed.

Reproduction. Reproductive structures not observed.

Distribution. Known only from Paradise Beach, Coral Bay, Western Australia.

Habitat. Epilithic in the shallow subtidal.

[After J.M. Huisman, G.H. Boo & S.M. Boo in Algae of Australia: Marine Benthic Algae of North-western Australia, 2. Red Algae: 262–263 (2018)]

John Huisman & Olga Nazarova, 3 August 2021

Distribution

IMCRA Regions
Ningaloo.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Carnarvon.