Rhipocephalus Kützing, 1843

Holotype species: Rhipocephalus phoenix (J.Ellis & Solander) Kützing

Publication details: Kützing, 1843: 311

Original publication and holotype designation: Kützing, F.T. (1843). Phycologia generalis oder Anatomie, Physiologie und Systemkunde der Tange. Mit 80 farbig gedruckten Tafeln, gezeichnet und gravirt vom Verfasser. pp. [part 1]: [i]-xxxii, [1]-142, [part 2:] 143-458, 1, err.], pls 1-80. Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus.

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Description: Thallus calcified, erect, usually to about 12 cm tall but in some specimens to at least 20 cm., consisting of ovoid to cylindric capitulum composed of numerous small, imbricated, cuneate blades, simple stalk, and holdfast of fine siphons interlaced with sand. Thalli capable of some additional growth once capitulum formed. Blades of capitulum monostromatic, of adpressed lateral siphons, constricted above forks, which are laterally coherent in R. phoenix, or essentially free in R. oblongus. Stipe composed of medulla of longitudinal, interwoven, dichotomously branched siphons bearing dichotomously branched lateral appendages. Peripheral endings of lateral branches form a cortex. Genus heteroplastic, i.e. with chloroplasts, some of which may contain starch, and amyloplasts both present. Percent CaCO3 dry weight in mature thallus is ca. 46-54. Asexual reproduction is achieved by development of new thalli at ends of siphonous outgrowths from holdfast. Sexual reproduction presently unknown.

Information contributed by: L. Hillis. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2025-04-29 by Salvador Valenzuela Miranda.

Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Gender: This genus name is currently treated as masculine.

Comments: Geographic distribution is tropical western Atlantic. Thalli grow on unconsolidated substrata to at least -73m

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Contributors
Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in CD format. These AlgaeBase descriptions are now being continually updated, and each current contributor is identified above. The PSA and AlgaeBase warmly acknowledge the generosity of all past and present contributors and particularly the work of Dr Parker.

Descriptions of chrysophyte genera were subsequently published in J. Kristiansen & H.R. Preisig (eds.). 2001. Encyclopedia of Chrysophyte Genera. Bibliotheca Phycologica 110: 1-260.

Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=42541

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
Salvador Valenzuela Miranda in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 29 April 2025. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 19 June 2025