Reef to Rainforest: Discovering Tropical Species, Places, Nature

Marine Plants and Algae

From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer

Caulerpa mexicana, macroalgae used in refugia and for feeding, now banned in California. Bob Goemans

[edit] Species Profiles

[edit] Aquatic Plants

Division Magnoliophyta

[edit] Flowering Plants

  • Number of Living Species: 230,000 (a fraction of a percent are marine).
  • Common Characteristics of seagrasses & mangroves: marine plants with the same basic structure as terrestrial flowering plants; adapted to saline water; able to grow when submerged; anchoring system to withstand wave action and tidal currents; water-pollinated.

[edit] Algae

Division Chlorophyta

[edit] Green Algae

Number of Living Species: 9,000-12,000, about 10 percent marine.

Common Characteristics: contain chlorophylls a and b; starch stored inside chloroplast.

Division Chromophyta

[edit] Diatoms, Golden Algae, Brown Algae, Kelps

  • Number of Living Species: 18,000, freshwater and marine.
  • Common Characteristics: most contain chlorophyll a; carotenoids present; starch stored outside chloroplast.

From: Reef Life by Denise Nielsen Tackett

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Marine BioGroups Plants and Algae families:

Reference: Reef Life
Image credit: BG
Text credit: DNT
Facts about Marine Plants and AlgaeRDF feed
BioGroup Marine BioGroups  +
Image credit BG  +
Organism Plants and Algae  +
Plural warning.pngUnsupported type “Type:String” defined for property.
Reference Reef Life  +
Text credit DNT  +
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