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Trees- Shrubs( Taonia atomaria )
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Taonia atomaria is a thin, flat membranous alga with upright apexes (1; 2); it grows up to 200-300mm in both height and width (1). The thallus has a series of slits, and the apexes are without midribs, and truncate in shape; the basal segments extend for 1-3cm in a fan shape (1). T. atomaria has a light-brown to whitish colouration (1).
There are six species within the genus Taonia (3); T. abbottiana, T. atomaria, T. australasica, T. lacheana, T. lennebackerae and T. pseudociliata. None of the species are listed under the IUCN Redlist (4). The species Cutleria multifida has a similar appearance to T. atomaria (1).
During the spring and early summer, the growth of large aggregates will occur in this active period (1).
T. atomaria is found on stones, shells and sandy substrates in the infra-littoral zone to depths of 12m (1).
T. atomaria is found within the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and the north-east Atlantic (1).
T. atomaria uses photosynthesis, as well as requiring various inorganic nutrients, such as carbon dioxide, phosphorus and fixed nitrogen (2).
Not listed under the IUCN Redlist (4).
Description written by Ben Harvey (2009)
(1) Cabioc’H, J., Floc’H, J. & Le Toquin, A., 1992. Guide mes algues des mers d’Europe. Paris: Delachaux et Niestle.
(2) Graham, L.E. & Wilcox, L.W., 2000. Algae. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc.
(3) Guiry, M.D. (2009). Taonia. In: Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2009). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Accessed through the World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=144092 on 2009-09-02
(4) IUCN, 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. [Online] (2009.1) Available at: www.iucnredlist.org [Accessed 01 September 2009].
