Red algae Temporal range: Mesoproterozoic–present |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
(unranked): | Archaeplastida |
Division: |
Rhodophyta Wettstein, 1922 Classification is currently disputed. See Taxonomy. |
Algal group | δ13C range |
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HCO3-using red algae | −22.5‰ to −9.6‰ |
CO2-using red algae | −34.5‰ to −29.9‰ |
Brown algae | −20.8‰ to −10.5‰ |
Green algae | −20.3‰ to −8.8‰ |
Classification is currently disputed. See Taxonomy.
The red algae, or Rhodophyta (/roʊˈdɒfᵻtə/ roh-DOF-fit-tə or /ˌroʊdəˈfaɪtə/ ROH-də-FY-tə; from Ancient Greek: ῥόδον rhodon, "rose" and φυτόν phyton, "plant"), are one of the oldest groups of eukaryotic algae. The Rhodophyta also contains one of the largest phyla of algae, containing over 7,000 currently recognized species with taxonomic revisions ongoing. The majority of species (6,793) are found in the Florideophyceae (class), and consist of mostly multicellular, marine algae, including many notable seaweeds. Approximately 5% of the red algae occur in freshwater environments.