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s A Field Guide to the British Seaweeds - NMBAQC

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Aglaothamnion/ Callithamnion<br />

The form of <strong>the</strong>se two genera are generally very<br />

fine and delicate consisting of numerously<br />

branched uniseriate filaments (single row of<br />

cells). Plants are often quite bushy and spongy<br />

due <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> covering of numerous branchlets or<br />

ramuli extending from <strong>the</strong> main axis. Branching<br />

patterns can vary from regularly alternate <strong>to</strong><br />

subdicho<strong>to</strong>mous and dicho<strong>to</strong>mous with both<br />

rounded and pointed apices. Cells are longer than<br />

broad and are often bone shaped. They tend <strong>to</strong><br />

be quite small and are often found living amongst<br />

turfs in overhangs and attached <strong>to</strong> mussels, or<br />

epiphytically on a variety of algae. Aglaothamnion<br />

spp. tend <strong>to</strong> have a single visible nucleus where<br />

as Callithamnion spp. are known <strong>to</strong> have several<br />

nuclei.<br />

Cells of Callithamnion sp. clearly<br />

showing <strong>the</strong> numerous nuclei<br />

present as light pink spots.<br />

Aglaothamnion species only have<br />

one nucleus per cells.<br />

The variety of forms of Aglaothamnion<br />

and Callithamnion and in its natural turf<br />

forming habitat and showing its various<br />

branching patterns

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