where is red algae found in the ocean
Red algae Unicellular members of the Cyanidiophyceae are thermoacidophiles and are found in sulphuric hot springs and other acidic environments.[12] The remaining taxa are found in marine and freshwater environments. Most rhodophytes are marine with a worldwide distribution, and are often found at greater depths compared to other seaweeds because of dominance in certain pigments (i.e., Phycoerythrin) within their chloroplasts.[13] Some marine species are found on sandy shores, while most others can be found attached to rocky substrata.[13] Freshwater species account for 5% of red algal diversity, but they also have a worldwide distribution in various habitats;[5] they generally prefer clean, high-flow streams with clear waters and rocky bottoms, but with some exceptions.[14] A few freshwater species are found in black waters with sandy bottoms [15] and even fewer are found in more lentic waters.[16] Both marine and freshwater taxa are represented by free-living macroalgal forms and smaller endo/epiphytic/zoic forms, meaning they live in or on other algae, plants, and animals [6] In addition, some marine species have adopted a parasitic lifestyle and may be found on closely or more distantly related red algal hosts [17][18]