Calliarthron

Calliarthron
Calliarthron tuberculosum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Clade: Archaeplastida
Division: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Corallinales
Family: Corallinaceae
Subfamily: Corallinoideae
Genus: Calliarthron
Manza, 1937

Calliarthron is a genus containing two species of thalloid intertidal[1] alga. Specimens can reach around 30 cm in size. The thalli take a crustose form. The organisms lack secondary pit connections. Calliarthron reproduces by means of conceptacles; it produces tetraspores, dispores and carpospores. The genus has lignin and contains secondary cell walls, traits which are normally associated with the vascular plants.[1] It is similar to the genus Bossiella.[2]

Calliarthron is calcified, but also has uncalcified joints that allow it to flex in response to the waves to which it is subjected.[1] These joints start out calcified, and decalcify as they grow older.[1] After decalcifying they grow much longer, then fatten themselves up in the same way as xylem formation, resulting in secondary walls.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference martone2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Calliarthron spp. (erect, geniculate corallines)". Kelp Forest Ecology.