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Trees- ShrubsSturdy Needleweed ( Amphiroa rigida )
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Amphiroa rigida has a rigid, brittle thallus; flattened filaments are segmented in small tufts, and regularly split into two highly calcified sections (1; 2). The ramification is regular at 90º; the branches are 0.2-0.8mm in size and the bush is approximately 20-60mm tall (1). A. rigida has a white colouration, but is violet at the base (1).
There are approximately 51 species within the genus Amphiroa (3); the species A. cryptartordia has a similar appearance, but can be distinguished because it has more irregular ramification (1). A. compressa, A. crustiformis and A. galapagensis are all listed under the IUCN Redlist (4).
A. rigida is found on hard, rocky substrates in well-lit, sheltered areas; it is found down to 10m (1).
The sturdy needleweed is an annual species, with a trigenetic reproductive cycle; its gametophytes and tetrasporophytes are morphologically similar (1).
A. rigida is distributed across the north-east Atlantic and in the Mediterranean (1).
A. rigida 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). Amphiroa J.V. Lamouroux, 1812. 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=144003 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].
