A red seaweed (Aglaothamnion priceanum)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

Aglaothamnion priceanum is a small inconspicuous filamentous, deep pink coloured red seaweed, with a soft but not flaccid texture. Thalli consisting of small groups of erect axes, 0.2 - 0.8 cm high, attached by disk-like filamentous holdfasts or endophytic rhizoidal (root-like) filaments. Erect axes are flattened, with a single principal axis and a linear to irregularly fan-shape (flabellate) outline.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Recorded from islands off northern and western coasts such as Shetland, Inverness and Argyll.

Global distribution

This species is found in Norway and the Faeroes to Northwest France.

Habitat

Confined to the sublittoral where it grows mostly on small perennial algae and blades of Laminaria hyperborea as an epiphyte, and also on bedrock at depths of 5-30 m. Tolerates moderate to extreme wave exposure.

Depth range

-

Identifying features

  • Deep pink colour.
  • Uninucleate vegetative cells.
  • Zig-zag or U-shaped short side branches (carpogonial branches).
  • Thalli consisting of small groups of erect axes attached by disk-like filamentous holdfasts.

Additional information

Identification of single specimens can be difficult, so if possible a number of thalli should be collected. However, the species is fairly easily distinguished using a microscope.

Listed by

- none -

Further information sources

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Bibliography

  1. Hardy, F.G. & Guiry, M.D., 2003. A check-list and atlas of the seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. London: British Phycological Society

  2. Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E., 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]

  3. Maggs, C.A. & Hommersand, M.H., 1993. Seaweeds of the British Isles: Volume 1 Rhodophycota Part 3A Ceramiales. London: Natural History Museum, Her Majesty's Stationary Office.

Datasets

  1. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  2. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2025. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2025-05-21

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Edwards, R.V. 2003. Aglaothamnion priceanum A red seaweed. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 21-05-2025]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1927

Last Updated: 11/07/2003