New algal species with ‘umbrella head’ discovered from Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Measuring as small as 20 to 40 mm, the stunning bright green algae, resembling an umbrella or a mushroom, has grooves on its cap measuring 15 to 20mm in diameter.
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Named after the imaginary sea mermaid, Acetabularia jalakanyakae is very primitive and is a single-cell organism.
Its nucleus forms a rhizoid structure, which facilitates the algae to attach itself to shallow rocks.
It is highly regenerative in nature. Even if one chops off the top portion, this algae can regrow.
As it is primarily a marine algae, the projected sea level rise due to global warming is not as much of a direct threat to its existence.
But due to climate change, the oceans are warming and there is increasing acidification — both of which could be harmful,”