Apophlaea

{{Short description|Genus of algae}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Apophlaea sinclairii by Peter de Lange.jpg

| image_caption = Apophlaea sinclairii by Peter de Lange

| taxon = Apophlaea

| authority = J.D.Hooker & Harvey, 1845

| subdivision = {{bold species list

| A. sinclairii|

| A. lyallii|}}

}}

Apophlaea is a genus of thalloid algae that is endemic to New Zealand.{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/841897290|title=New Zealand seaweeds : an illustrated guide|last=Nelson|first=Nelson, W. A.|publisher=Te Papa Press|year=2013|isbn=9780987668813|location=Wellington, New Zealand|pages=142|oclc=841897290}} Species in the genus are found in the high intertidal zone on New Zealand's coasts.{{Cite journal| last1 = Sherwood | first1 = A. R.| last2 = Sheath | first2 = R. G.| title = Systematics of the Hildenbrandiales (Rhodophyta): Gene Sequence and Morphometric Analyses of Global Collections| journal = Journal of Phycology| volume = 39| issue = 2| pages = 409–422| year = 2003| doi = 10.1046/j.1529-8817.2003.01050.x}}{{Cite book| last1 = Garbary | first1 = D. | chapter = The Margin of the Sea| pages= 173–191| year = 2007 | doi = 10.1007/978-1-4020-6112-7_9| title = ALGAE AND CYANOBACTERIA IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS| series = Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology| volume = 11| issue= 3}} Specimens can reach around 15 cm in size. The thalli take a crustose form, but also contain upright, branching frond-like protrusions that reach 5–8 cm in height.{{Cite journal| last1 = Saunders | first1 = G. W.| last2 = Bailey | first2 = J. C.| title = Molecular Systematic Analyses Indicate That the Enigmatic Apophlaea is a Member of the Hildenbrandiales (Rhodophyta, Florideophycidae)| journal = Journal of Phycology| volume = 35| pages = 171| year = 1999| doi = 10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.3510171.x}}{{Cite journal| last1 = Sherwood | first1 = A. R.| last2 = Sheath | first2 = R. G.| title = Systematics of the Hildenbrandiales (Rhodophyta): Gene Sequence and Morphometric Analyses of Global Collections| journal = Journal of Phycology| volume = 39| issue = 2| pages = 409–422| year = 2003| doi = 10.1046/j.1529-8817.2003.01050.x}} Secondary pit connections and secondary pit connectionsare present in the organisms. Apophlaea reproduces by means of conceptacles; it produces tetraspores.

It is notable for its symbiotic relationship with certain fungi.{{Cite journal| last1 = Selosse | first1 = M.| last2 = Le Tacon | first2 = F.| title = The land flora: a phototroph-fungus partnership?| journal = Trends in Ecology & Evolution| volume = 13| pages = 15–28| year = 1998| doi = 10.1016/S0169-5347(97)01230-5}} Despite its unusual morphology, molecular systematics, along with its zoned tetrasporangia borne in conceptacles with a single opening, place it within the Hildenbrandiales.{{Cite journal| last1 = Saunders | first1 = G. W.| last2 = Bailey | first2 = J. C.| title = Molecular Systematic Analyses Indicate That the Enigmatic Apophlaea is a Member of the Hildenbrandiales (Rhodophyta, Florideophycidae)| journal = Journal of Phycology| volume = 35| pages = 171| year = 1999| doi = 10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.3510171.x}}

The algae are resistant to both U-V radiation and desiccation, allowing them to thrive in intertidal settings.{{Cite book| last1 = Garbary | first1 = D. | chapter = The Margin of the Sea| pages= 173–191| year = 2007 | doi = 10.1007/978-1-4020-6112-7_9| title = ALGAE AND CYANOBACTERIA IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS| series = Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology| volume = 11| issue= 3}} Indeed, they can resume almost full photosynthesis just minutes after losing 95% of their tissue water.{{Cite book| last1 = Garbary | first1 = D. | chapter = The Margin of the Sea| pages= 173–191| year = 2007 | doi = 10.1007/978-1-4020-6112-7_9| title = ALGAE AND CYANOBACTERIA IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS| series = Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology| volume = 11| issue= 3}}