Seaweed Flora of the European North Atlantic and Mediterranean 6.3 Seaweeds Biodiversity and Potential 99
Part A | 6.3
Uses and Compounds. Source of agar [6.505]. Extracts have antibacterial [6.358], and antifungal [6.62]
activity.
Gelidium spinosum (S.G. Gmel.)
P.C. Silva
Description. Small alga, cartilaginous, crimson to
purplish red, 2060 mm long. Main axes distinctly flattened, often narrower at base, ultimate branches short,
often opposite, spine-like or spathulate [6.32].
Habitat. In sheltered locations below the tidal mark.
Distribution. NE Atlantic (Ireland and Britain to Canary Islands); Mediterranean; Indo-Pacific (Indonesia).
Uses and Compounds. Source of Agar [6.506]. Extracts have antiviral, cytotoxic, and antibacterial activity [6.205, 507].
Pterocladiella capillacea (S.G. Gmelin)
Santelices and Hommersand
Synonym. Pterocladia capillacea (S.G. Gmelin) Bornet.
Common Name. Small agar weed.
Description. Thallus dark brownish red, commonly
grows in dense tufts about 4 cm high, and composed of prostrate axes that give rise to the flatFig. 6.26 Ahnfeltiopsis devoniensis specimen
tened erect axes: branching pinnate to irregularly
opposite with uniaxial growth from single apical
cells; inner structure pseudoparenchymatous, with
long, slender, thick-walled rhizine cells filling the
spaces between elongated medullary cells that are surrounded by a three-layered cortex of smaller pigmented
cells [6.508].
Habitat. In large pools and lagoons in the lower littoral and shallow sublittoral, widely distributed, never
common.
Distribution. Europe, Atlantic Islands, N America,
Caribbean Islands, S America, Africa, SW and SE Asia,
Australia and New Zealand, Pacific Islands.
Uses and Compounds. Source of agar [6.509, 510].
Extracts have antioxidant [6.234], antibacterial [6.470],
antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory [6.511], anticoagulant [6.512], and antitumor [6.126] activity.
Order: Gigartinales
Ahnfeltiopsis devoniensis (Greville)
P.C. Silva & DeCew
Synonym. Gymnogongrus devoniensis (Greville)
Schotter
Description. A. devoniensis is a small red marine alga
that grows to only several centimeters in length from
a disk-like holdfast (Fig. 6.26). It forms a medium-sized
flattened frond with regular dichotomous branching.
The branches have parallel sides. The reproductive
structures (cystocarps) are internal [6.513].
Habitat. Generally found in the very lower intertidal
or shallow sublittoral, in salty areas protected from
strong wave action. As far as it is known, it can be found
anytime.
Distribution. NE Atlantic (Britain to Portugal).
Uses and Compounds. Source of carrageenan
[6.514–516]. Extracts have antihypertensive and
antioxidant activity [6.501, 517].
Calliblepharis ciliata (Hudson) Kützing
Common Name. Eyelash weed.
Description. C. ciliata is bright to dark red in color.
The main blade is erect and forms into a wedge shape
Part A | 6.3
Uses and Compounds. Source of agar [6.505]. Extracts have antibacterial [6.358], and antifungal [6.62]
activity.
Gelidium spinosum (S.G. Gmel.)
P.C. Silva
Description. Small alga, cartilaginous, crimson to
purplish red, 2060 mm long. Main axes distinctly flattened, often narrower at base, ultimate branches short,
often opposite, spine-like or spathulate [6.32].
Habitat. In sheltered locations below the tidal mark.
Distribution. NE Atlantic (Ireland and Britain to Canary Islands); Mediterranean; Indo-Pacific (Indonesia).
Uses and Compounds. Source of Agar [6.506]. Extracts have antiviral, cytotoxic, and antibacterial activity [6.205, 507].
Pterocladiella capillacea (S.G. Gmelin)
Santelices and Hommersand
Synonym. Pterocladia capillacea (S.G. Gmelin) Bornet.
Common Name. Small agar weed.
Description. Thallus dark brownish red, commonly
grows in dense tufts about 4 cm high, and composed of prostrate axes that give rise to the flatFig. 6.26 Ahnfeltiopsis devoniensis specimen
tened erect axes: branching pinnate to irregularly
opposite with uniaxial growth from single apical
cells; inner structure pseudoparenchymatous, with
long, slender, thick-walled rhizine cells filling the
spaces between elongated medullary cells that are surrounded by a three-layered cortex of smaller pigmented
cells [6.508].
Habitat. In large pools and lagoons in the lower littoral and shallow sublittoral, widely distributed, never
common.
Distribution. Europe, Atlantic Islands, N America,
Caribbean Islands, S America, Africa, SW and SE Asia,
Australia and New Zealand, Pacific Islands.
Uses and Compounds. Source of agar [6.509, 510].
Extracts have antioxidant [6.234], antibacterial [6.470],
antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory [6.511], anticoagulant [6.512], and antitumor [6.126] activity.
Order: Gigartinales
Ahnfeltiopsis devoniensis (Greville)
P.C. Silva & DeCew
Synonym. Gymnogongrus devoniensis (Greville)
Schotter
Description. A. devoniensis is a small red marine alga
that grows to only several centimeters in length from
a disk-like holdfast (Fig. 6.26). It forms a medium-sized
flattened frond with regular dichotomous branching.
The branches have parallel sides. The reproductive
structures (cystocarps) are internal [6.513].
Habitat. Generally found in the very lower intertidal
or shallow sublittoral, in salty areas protected from
strong wave action. As far as it is known, it can be found
anytime.
Distribution. NE Atlantic (Britain to Portugal).
Uses and Compounds. Source of carrageenan
[6.514–516]. Extracts have antihypertensive and
antioxidant activity [6.501, 517].
Calliblepharis ciliata (Hudson) Kützing
Common Name. Eyelash weed.
Description. C. ciliata is bright to dark red in color.
The main blade is erect and forms into a wedge shape