ABSTRACT
Coralline algae were treated as lime-producing animals until their plant-like nature was revealed by anatomical studies in the 1800s. The success of coralline algae suggests that features such as calcium carbonate, conceptacles and epithallia are desirable in marine environments. Almost all of the characteristics that have been employed in segregating coralline genera are structural. Two approaches have been made, one delimiting genera mostly on the basis of vegetative structures, and the other doing the same, but with reproductive structures. Many characteristics of coralline algae are potentially useful in delimiting the genera. The hardening suggests that resistance to grazing, wave shock, or abrasion, may have contributed to the success of coralline algae. It is interesting to speculate on the adaptive significance of lime deposition in coralline algae. The hardening suggests that resistance to grazing, wave shock, or abrasion, may have contributed to the success of coralline algae.
