Lithophyllum Philippi 1837

Lithophyllum is a genus of thalloid red algae belonging to the family Corallinaceae.

Lithophyllum stictaeforme.

L. orbiculatum on a rock fragment; rock length ~3 cm.

Lithophyllum okamurae

Lithophyllum sp.

Fossil record

This genus is known in the fossil record from the Silurian to the Quaternary (from about 418.7 to 0.0 million years ago). Fossils of species within this genus have been found in Europe, United States, South America, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, India, Japan and Australia.^[2]

Description

The monomerous, crustose thalli are composed of a single system of filaments which grow close to the underlying surface. Lithophyllum reproduces by means of conceptacles. The epithallus is periodically shed to avoid organisms growing on top of the alga.^[3][4]

Species

The valid species currently considered to belong to this genus are:^[1]

Bibliography

• Philippi, R.A. (1837). Beweis, dass die Nulliporen Pflanzen sind. Archiv für Naturgeschichte 3: 387-393, figs 2-6, pl. IX.
• Foslie, M. (1900). Revised systematical survey of the Melobesieae. Kongelige Norske Videnskabers Selskabs Skrifter 1900(5): 1-22.
• Woelkerling, W.J. (1998). Lamarck's nullipores. In: Non-geniculate Coralline Red Algae and the Paris Muséum: Systematics and Scientific History. (Woelkerling, W.J. & Lamy, D. Eds), pp. 101–404. Paris: Publications Scientifiques du Muséum/A.D.A.C.

References

• Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. (2008). "Lithophyllum". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2009-04-18.