Synonyms
Calcareous Corallinales; Corallines; Coralline algae; Nullipores; Rhodalgal facies (geological term)
Definition
Coralline algae are heavily calcified red algae of the order Corallinales (Rhodophyta). The plant body (thallus) is composed of chains of cells (filaments) that may fuse laterally or also form secondary (lateral) pit connections. Separate haploid male and female plants produce gametes in sori (spore clusters) or domed single-pored conceptacles, with spores (haploid tetraspores or diploid bispores) being formed in sori that are typically modified into either single-pored or multipored conceptacles.
Introduction
Coralline algae are important carbonate sediment producers and rank among the major reef builders. Corallines are characterized by a thallus that is stony because of calcareous deposits contained within and between the cell walls. This extensive calcite crystalline form of CaCO3is a major factor determining the geological importance of the group. High...
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Littler, M.M., Littler, D.S. (2011). Algae, Coralline. In: Hopley, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Modern Coral Reefs. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2639-2_2
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