Cystophora is a genus of brown algae found mostly in temperate waters around Australia.
Description Most of the southern Australian species can be immediately recognised as belonging to this genus by their characteristic zigzag branching pattern. Identification of individual species is generally more difficult and relies on the size and shape of branches, particularly terminal branches, which are specialised reproductive structures known as receptacles. Due to their local diversity and dominance in southern Australia, they are regarded by some as 'the eucalypts of the underwater world'.
Species There are currently 26 accepted species of Cystophora: Cystophora botryocystis Sonder Cystophora brownii (Turner) J.Agardh Cystophora cuspidata J.Agardh Cystophora cymodocea Womersley & Nizamuddin ex Womersley Cystophora dumosa (Greville ex Sonder) J.Agardh Cystophora expansa Womersley Cystophora fibrosa Simons Cystophora flaccida J.Agardh Cystophora gracilis Womersley Cystophora grevillei (C.Agardh ex Sonder) J.Agardh Cystophora harveyi Womersley Cystophora intermedia J.Agardh Cystophora monilifera J.Agardh Cystophora moniliformis (Esper) Womersley & Nizamuddin Cystophora pectinata (Greville & C.Agardh ex Sonder) J.Agardh Cystophora platylobium (Mertens) J.Agardh Cystophora polycystidea Areschoug ex J.Agardh Cystophora racemosa (Harvey ex Kützing) J.Agardh Cystophora retorta (Mertens) J.Agardh Cystophora retroflexa (Labillardière) J.Agardh (type) Cystophora scalaris J.Agardh Cystophora siliquosa J.Agardh Cystophora subfarcinata (Mertens) J.Agardh Cystophora tenuis Womersley Cystophora torulosa (R.Brown ex Turner) J.Agardh Cystophora xiphocarpa Harvey
References