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s A Field Guide to the British Seaweeds - NMBAQC

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Polysiphonia spp.<br />

These plants are filamen<strong>to</strong>us and<br />

polysiphonous but will vary<br />

considerable between species. The<br />

colour may be light pink <strong>to</strong> deep red<br />

and purple or black. The number of<br />

primary siphons range from 4 <strong>to</strong> 24<br />

and depending on <strong>the</strong> species<br />

secondary siphons may also be<br />

present. These characteristics are<br />

used <strong>to</strong> distinguish between species.<br />

Cys<strong>to</strong>carps<br />

Secondary siphons<br />

Some Polysiphonia species<br />

may only have 4 <strong>to</strong> 6<br />

primary siphons o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />

may have secondary<br />

siphons present, often <strong>the</strong><br />

central siphon cannot be<br />

easily seen<br />

Reproductive bodies may be present as cys<strong>to</strong>carps or tetraspores<br />

Tetraspores<br />

They may be found in a number<br />

of habitats throughout <strong>the</strong> lit<strong>to</strong>ral<br />

including rockpools, overhangs<br />

and crevices and may also be<br />

located in amongst turf formers.<br />

Shape, size and location of <strong>the</strong><br />

reproductive bodies are also<br />

quite variable.

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