Halimeda

Taxobox

---

image_caption = "Halimeda" with a sprawling habit
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Chlorophyta
classis = Bryopsidophyceae
ordo = Bryopsidales
familia = Halimedaceae
genus = "Halimeda"
genus_authority = J.V.Lamouroux, 1812
type_species = "Halimeda tuna"
type_species_authority = (J. Ellis & Solander) J.V. Lamouroux, 1816
subdivision_ranks = Speciescite web | url = http://www.algaebase.org/browse/taxonomy/?id=8210 | publisher = "AlgaeBase version 4.2" World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway | accessdate = 2007-09-24 | title = Genus: "Halimeda" taxonomy browser | author = Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. | year = 2007 ]
subdivision = see text.

"Halimeda" is a genus of green macroalgae. The algal body (thallus) is composed of calcified green segments. Calcium carbonate is deposited in its tissues, making it inedible to most herbivores.

"Halimeda" is responsible for distinctive circular deposits in various parts of the Great Barrier Reef on the north-east coast of Queensland, Australia. "Halimeda" beds form in the western or lee side of outer shield reefs where flow of nutient-rich water from the open sea allows them to flourish, and are the most extensive, actively accumulating "Halimeda" beds in the world.

The genus is one of the best studied examples of cryptic species pairs due to morphological convergence within the marine macroalgae.Kooistra W.H.C.F., Coppejans E.G.G. & Payri C. (2002). Molecular systematics, historical ecology, and phylogeography of "Halimeda". (Bryopsidales) "Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution" 24: 121–138] Verbruggen H., De Clerck O., Kooistra W.H.C.F. & Coppejans E. (2005). Molecular and morphometric data pinpoint species boundaries in "Halimeda" section "Rhipsalis" (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta). "Journal of Phycology" 41: 606-621] Verbruggen H., De Clerck O., Schils T., Kooistra W.H.C.F. & Coppejans E. (2005). Evolution and phylogeography of "Halimeda" section "Halimeda". "Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution" 37: 789-803]

pecies

* "H. bikinensis"
* "H. borneensis"
* "H. cereidesmis"
* "H. copiosa"
* "H. cryptica"
* "H. cuneata"
* "H. cylindracea"
* "H. discoidea"
* "H. distorta"
* "H. favulosa"
* "H. fragilis"
* "H. gigas"
* "H. goreauii"
* "H. gracilis"
* "H. heteromorpha"
* "H. howensis"
* "H. hummii"
* "H. incrassata"
* "H. kanaloana"
* "H. lacrimosa"
* "H. lacunalis"
* "H. macroloba"
* "H. macrophysa"
* "H. magnidisca"
* "H. melanesica"
* "H. micronesica"
* "H. minima"
* "H. monile"
* "H. opuntia"
* "H. pumila"
* "H. pygmaea"
* "H. renschii"
* "H. scabra"
* "H. simulans"
* "H. stuposa"
* "H. taenicola"
* "H. tuna"
* "H. velasquezii"

References

External links

* [http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/project-net/ugbr/ugbr-06.html "Deepwater seagrass and Halimeda: lost lawns of the outer shelf"] ,

*Australian Institute of Marine Science, retrieved 10 November, 2006

*http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/publications/misc_pub/fauna_flora/appendix_04.html "Other species of conservation concern"] ,

*Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, retrieved 10 November, 2006