Coralline algae are
red algae in the order
Corallinales. They are characterized by a
thallus that is hard because of
calcareous deposits contained within the cell walls. The colors of these
algae are most typically pink, or some other shade of red, but other species can be purple, yellow, blue, white or gray-green. Coralline algae play an important role in the
ecology of
coral reefs.
Sea urchins,
parrot fish,
limpets (mollusks), and
chitons (mollusks), feed on coralline algae. Many are typically encrusting and rock-like, found in marine waters all over the world. Unattached specimens (
maerl,
rhodoliths) may form relatively smooth compact balls to warty or fruticose thalli.
