AuthorHiscock, S.
Year1986
TitleA Field Key to the British Red Seaweeds
ISBN1 85153 813 6
SeriesAIDGAP
TypeBook/Report
How CompleteNearly all British macroscopic (larger than 1cm) red seaweeds including littoral, sublittoral and rare species are included. Most are keyed to species, unless microscopy is required when they are only keyed to group.
SourceAIDGAP, 13, 101pp, Field Studies Council
IllustrationsThumbnail line drawings accompany the key, 25 pages of species drawings and 4 colou plates at the back
Review (by Malcolm Storey)

This handy dichotomous key to red seaweeds is designed to be used in the field for most groups. It is accessible by beginners as it avoids technical jargon.

Available online.

Examine with x8 or x10 hand lens ( Stereo Microscope is also useful)
Specimen PreparationFresh specimens, in the field. Stereo-microscopy is needed for filamentous species and these must be collected.
Identification difficultyThe key concentrates on the easier species, leaving the more difficult as groups. The principal remaining problems are very young plants, seasonal differences and damage and subsequent regrowth (see p3 & 7). Red seaweeds are harder to identify than their brown cousins covered in the sister publication.
Website urlwww.nmbaqcs.org/scheme-components/macroalgae/literature-and-taxonomic-keys.aspx
Notes & PurposeStatusTaxonEnglishClassification
For identificationCurrentRHODOPHYTAred seaweedsPlantae
For identificationCurrent[Seaweeds]differentiated, multicellular, marine algae
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