Lithophyllum


Lithophyllum is a genus of thalloid red algae belonging to the family Corallinaceae.

Fossil record

This genus is known in the fossil record from the Silurian to the Quaternary. Fossils of species within this genus have been found in Europe, United States, South America, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, India, Japan and Australia.

Description

The monomerous, crustose thalli are composed of a single system of filaments which grow close to the underlying surface. Lithophyllum reproduces by means of conceptacles. The epithallus is periodically shed to avoid organisms growing on top of the alga.

Species

The valid species currently considered to belong to this genus are: