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Overview on Cyanidian Biology

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Red Algae in the Genomic Age

Part of the book series: Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology ((COLE,volume 13))

Abstract

Among the members of the red algae are the unicellular Cyanidiophyceae (“cyanidia”), a group that thrives in exceptionally strong acidity (low pH) and at elevated temperatures. The three thermoacidophilic genera of cyanidia (Cyanidioschyzon, Cyanidium, and Galdieria) have been reviewed from various aspects. These cells are among the most ancient groups of algae, having diverged about 1.3 Bya as the earliest branch of the Rhodophyta. The modern genomic investigations promote the Cyanidiophyceae as a model for addressing fundamental questions in eukaryotic evolution. In this overview, the past natural history and current studies of the cyanidia with various features of thermo-acidophilic Rhodophytes are covered.

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Acknowledgments

I thank my late esteemed Ph.D. advisor Lawrence Bogorad (Harvard University) and Richard Castenholz (University of Oregon) who over four decades ago gave me my first tips about the world of Cyanidium caldarium. Much appreciation also goes to Professor Russell L. Chapman (Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego) for reviewing this chapter and to Professor Richard Castenholz for his critical reading.

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  1. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, 1132, Efrat, 904435, Israel

    Joseph Seckbach

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  1. University of Jerusalem, Mevo Hadas 20, Efrat, 90435, Israel

    Joseph Seckbach

  2. Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, USA

    David J. Chapman

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Seckbach, J. (2010). Overview on Cyanidian Biology. In: Seckbach, J., Chapman, D. (eds) Red Algae in the Genomic Age. Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology, vol 13. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3795-4_18

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