The Gracilariaceae is a small family of red algae containing several genera of agarophytes.[1] It has a world-wide distribution.[1] 24 species are found in China,[2] and 6 species are found in Great Britain and Ireland.[3] It is found in Australia and Chile.[4]
They are normally found in intertidal bays, back waters and estuaries.[5]
The family have been extensively investigated over the last 30 years, and various studies have yielded comprehensive information on their life history, cultivation, taxonomy, and utilization (Bellorin et al. 2002, Rueness 2005). Studies on the structure of their reproductive organs and the phylogenetic relationships among species inferred from rbcL sequence analyses have produced three clades at the genus level, namely Gracilaria, Gracilariopsis, and Hydropuntia (Gurgel and Fredericq 2004).[1][6]
In 2012, the University of São Paulo, Brazil set up the Gracilariaceae Germplasm Bank, to use molecule markers for the identification of species.[7]
Figures in brackets are approx. how many species per genus.[8]
They are economically important,[9] as Agar can be derived from many types of red seaweeds,[4] including those from families such as Gelidiaceae, Gracilariaceae, Gelidiellaceae and Pterocladiaceae. It is a polysaccharide located in the inner part of the red algal cell wall. It is used in food material, medicines, cosmetics, therapeutic and biotechnology industries.[10][11]
The Gracilariaceae is a small family of red algae containing several genera of agarophytes. It has a world-wide distribution. 24 species are found in China, and 6 species are found in Great Britain and Ireland. It is found in Australia and Chile.
They are normally found in intertidal bays, back waters and estuaries.
The family have been extensively investigated over the last 30 years, and various studies have yielded comprehensive information on their life history, cultivation, taxonomy, and utilization (Bellorin et al. 2002, Rueness 2005). Studies on the structure of their reproductive organs and the phylogenetic relationships among species inferred from rbcL sequence analyses have produced three clades at the genus level, namely Gracilaria, Gracilariopsis, and Hydropuntia (Gurgel and Fredericq 2004).
In 2012, the University of São Paulo, Brazil set up the Gracilariaceae Germplasm Bank, to use molecule markers for the identification of species.
