Microbial Groups And Extremophiles Codexery

Red algae

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Red algae

Derek Keats · CC BY 2.0

Most species are multicellular marine algae, though about 5% occur in freshwater environments.[1] The phylum Rhodophyta, commonly called red algae, is among the most ancient and extensive groups of eukaryotic algae, comprising more than 7,000 documented species distributed across over 900 genera.[1] Red algae are distinguished by their eukaryotic cells that lack both flagella and centrioles, and they employ phycobiliproteins as accessory pigments, which are responsible for their characteristic red coloration.[2]

Quick Facts

Field
Phycology
Known for
  • Oldest and largest phyla of eukaryotic algae
  • source of agar and carrageenans
  • c

Facts from the source article.

Key facts and history

Red algae lack motile sperm and rely on water currents to transport their gametes to female organs.[3] The oldest fossil identified as a red alga, Bangiomorpha pubescens, dates to 1.05 billion years ago.[4] As a food reserve, red algae accumulate floridean starch, a form of highly branched amylopectin lacking amylose, which is stored in the cytoplasm outside the chloroplasts.[2] Throughout their entire life cycle, red algae are devoid of flagella and centrioles.[5]

Species of red algae such as Palmaria palmata (known as dulse) and various Porphyra species (called laver, nori, or gim) have been traditionally consumed in both European and Asian cuisines.[6]

What the cited sources add

A 2024 article by Heaton in Honolulu Civil Beat reports that Parker Ranch cattle are among the first of Hawaii's livestock to be fed farmed red algae.[7] In previous trials, the seaweed reduced the amount of methane the animals belch by an average of 77%.[7] The FHL Marine Botany account notes that pit plugs are a unique structure found in red algae and are formed through an interesting process.[8] According to the World Bank, the global market for seaweed-derived animal feed supplements is projected to reach a value of $1.1 billion by 2030.[7]

Human activities in agriculture are responsible for 37% of the total methane released globally.[7]

References

  1. Wikipedia, "Red algae" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Lee, R.E., "Phycology", Cambridge University Press, 2008; "Syllabus of plant families: Adolf Engler's Syllabus der Pflanzenfamilien. Part 2/2: Photoautotropic eukaryotic algae, Rhodophyta.", Gebr. Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung, 2017; Guiry, "Algaebase", www.algaebase.org, 2016; Guiry, "Algaebase", www.algaebase.org, 2016; D. Thomas, "Seaweeds", Natural History Museum, London, 2002; Dodds, "Freshwater ecology: concepts and environmental applications of limnology", Academic Press, 7 May 2019; Sheath, "The biology of freshwater red algae", Pro en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia, "Red algae" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: W. J. Woelkerling, "Biology of the Red Algae", Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1990, p. 1–6; Reece, "Campbell Biology Australian and New Zealand Edition", Pearson Higher Education AU, May 20, 2015; Morrissey, "Introduction to the Biology of Marine Life", Jones & Bartlett Publishers, June 11, 2012; Viola, "The unique features of starch metabolism in red algae", Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 2001, p. 1417–1422 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  3. Wikipedia, "Red algae" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Lee, R.E., "Phycology", Cambridge University Press, 2008 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
  4. Wikipedia, "Red algae" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: T.M. Gibson, "Precise age of Bangiomorpha pubescens dates the origin of eukaryotic photosynthesis", Geology, 2018, p. 135–138 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  5. Wikipedia, "Red algae" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: W. J. Woelkerling (1990). "An introduction". In K. M. Cole; R. G. Sheath (eds.). Biology of the Red Algae. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. pp. 1–6. .; Scott, "Ultrastructure of Cell Division and Reproductive Differentiation of Male Plants in the Florideophyceae (Rhodophyta): Cell Division in Polysiphonia1", Journal of Phycology, 1980, p. 507–524 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  6. Wikipedia, "Red algae" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: M. D. Guiry, "Rhodophyta: red algae", National University of Ireland, Galway (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  7. Heaton, "Cattle Are A Major Source Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Hawaii Seaweed Could Change That", Honolulu Civil Beat, 2024-06-03. facts only, no text reused. civilbeat.org
  8. "Pit Plugs", FHL Marine Botany. facts only, no text reused. depts.washington.edu

Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Red algae (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.

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Sources

Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.

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