Rhodochorton purpureum
Description:
Plants forming matted purplish-red tufts or a thin turf of sparingly branched,
erect filaments, 5-10 mm long. Cells 3-4 times as long as broad. Cells with
a single reticulate plastid without pyrenoids, later fragmented. Reproducing
by tetrasporangia, mostly in winter. Monosporangia absent.
Key characteristics:
Turf-forming habit and association with upper intertidal, shaded habitats or
Laminaria hyperborea (espécie inexistente nos Açores) stipes.
Absence of monosporangia.
Habitat:
On rock or epiphytic (especially on Laminaria
hyperborea stipes), upper infralittoral
to subtidal, often in caves and shady crevices. Widely distributed, common.
Similar species:
Rhodothamniella floridula, which forms more extensive turfs. Microscopic
examination (for the presence or absence of pyrenoids) is required to be certain
of the identity of this species.
(In: Seaweed Site - ©Michael D. Guiry - http://seaweed.ucg.ie/descriptions/Audpur.html)