Ahnfeltia plicata

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For the genus of seaweed also called landlady's wig, see Desmarestia.

Ahnfeltia plicata
Ahnfeltia plicata
Ahnfeltia plicata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
(unranked): Archaeplastida
Division: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Ahnfeltiales
Family:
Ahnfeltiaceae
Genus: Ahnfeltia
Species:
A. plicata
Binomial name
Ahnfeltia plicata
Synonyms[1]

Ahnfeltia plicata, the landlady's wig, is a

Ahnfeltiaceae. It grows in northern parts of the Atlantic Ocean
.

Description

The landlady's wig forms tufted

beta-Carotene. Some unique xanthophylls are also present in this seaweed.[1] The landlady's wig could be confused with Cordylecladia erecta but that species is less common and is thicker with more rigid, regularly branched fronds.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The landlady's wig is found on either side of the north Atlantic Ocean [4] from the middle shore down to depths of about 12 metres (39 ft). It grows on hard surfaces and is common on rock covered with sand and also occurs in rock pools.[5] It is sometimes torn from the rock in storms, resulting in floating mats of weed. The base of the fronds continue to grow even when they are detached from their holdfasts.[3]

Biology

The landlady's wig is a slow-growing species that may survive for five to ten years. It has different forms at different stages of its life cycle. On male plants there are

tetrasporophyte form that often encrusts pebbles. This produces tetraspores which develop into new gametophyte plants.[5] The encrusting tetrasporophyte form is known as Porphyrodiscus simulans.[4]

Uses

The landlady's wig is an edible seaweed and was used in the Soviet Union for the production of agar. It can also be eaten raw or cooked and is said to have a crunchy texture and pleasant taste.[3]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ahnfeltia plicata.
  1. ^ a b c Guiry, Michael D. (2012). "Ahnfeltia plicata (Hudson) E.M.Fries, 1836". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
  2. ISBN 0-565-00781-5
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-0-905483-60-3
    .
  4. ^ a b c "Ahnfeltia plicata (Hudson) Fries". The seaweed site. Archived from the original on 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  5. ^ a b Rayment, Will (2004). "A red seaweed - Ahnfeltia plicata". Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN). Archived from the original on 2017-12-15. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
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