Sporolithaceae
Family of algae / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sporolithaceae is the only known family of algae in the Sporolithales order.[1]
Sporolithaceae | |
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Scientific classification | |
(unranked): | Archaeplastida |
Division: | Rhodophyta |
Class: | Florideophyceae |
Order: | Sporolithales |
Family: | Sporolithaceae |
Sporolithaceae was originally placed within the Corallinales order,[2] until the creation of the Sporolithales order in 2017.[1]
They are differentiated from the Corallinaceae, by their formation of conceptacles with one or many pores.[3][4]
Species in the Sporolithales (and also the Sporolithaceae), have the characteristics of the Corallinophycidae,[5] but differs from other orders (Corallinales, Rhodogorgonales) in producing tetrasporangia within calcified sporangial compartments and in having tetrasporocytes that undergo cruciate cleavage.[6]
The Graticulaceae (fossil family) are structurally similar to the Sporolithaceae, but are Paleozoic and date back to the Wenlock (Silurian).[7]