Galaxaura rugosa is a species of red algae that belongs to the family Galaxauraceae. It’s the type species for its genus, Galaxaura.
These algae are found in various parts of the world, including the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and Macaronesia.
What Does Galaxaura rugosa Look Like?
Size and Shape
Galaxaura rugosa has a bushy, villous, and compact appearance.
It’s dome-shaped and slightly calcified, meaning it has a small amount of calcium carbonate in its structure.
These algae can grow to be 5 to 12 cm high and have a dark red to reddish-brown color.
Branches and Filaments
The branching of Galaxaura rugosa is irregularly dichotomous, which means it divides into two branches that are not necessarily equal in size.
The branches are short, crowded, and cylindrical, with diameters between 1.5 and 2 mm.
They are densely covered by hair-like filaments that are made up of cells. These cells can be 1 to 3 times as long as the diameter of the filaments.
The filaments themselves are cylindrical and can be up to 22 µm in diameter. They have unequal lengths, ranging from 0.3 to 1.6 mm.
Most filaments have bulbous, colorless, or slightly pigmented basal cells at their base. These cells can be 30 to 60 µm in diameter and 50 to 100 µm long.
In a transverse section, the cortical cells of Galaxaura rugosa are not clearly visible.
The medullary filaments, which are slender and 10 to 15 µm in diameter, are loosely intertwined within the algae’s structure.
Attachment to Surfaces
Galaxaura rugosa attaches itself to rocks and dead coral fragments using an inconspicuous holdfast.
It’s typically found in the upper subtidal zone of areas exposed to moderate wave action.
Where Can Galaxaura rugosa Be Found?
The distribution of Galaxaura rugosa is quite vast since it can be found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
It’s common in many Asia-Pacific countries, such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and various Pacific Islands.
You can check out what this plant looks like over here.
Galaxaura rugosa Characteristics
| Care Level: | Easy |
| Growth Rate: | Moderate |
| Required Lighting: | Low High |
| Required Water Flow: | Low High |
| Is Palatable? | Yes |
| Maximum Size: | Over 4 in (10.2 cm) |
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Order: | Nemaliales |
| Family: | Galaxauraceae |
| Genus: | Galaxaura |
| Scientific Name: | Galaxaura rugosa |
| Also Known As: | Pink Galaxy |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |