Gracilariaceae

The Gracilariaceae is a small family of red algae, containing several genera of agarophytes.
It has a cosmopolitan distribution, in which 24 species are found in China, six in Great Britain and Ireland, and some in Australia and Chile.
They are normally found in intertidal bays, backwaters, and estuaries.
The family have been extensively investigated over the last 30 years, and various studies have yielded comprehensive information on their life history, cultivation, taxonomy, and utilization. Studies on the structure of their reproductive organs and the phylogenetic relationships among species inferred from rbcL sequence analyses have produced three clades at the genus level, namely Gracilaria, Gracilariopsis, and Hydropuntia.
In 2012, the University of São Paulo, Brazil set up the Gracilariaceae Germplasm Bank, to use molecule markers for the identification of species.

Genera

As accepted by GBIF;Crassiphycus Curdiea Graacilaria Gracilaria Gracilariophila Gracilariopsis Hydropuntia Melanthalia
Figures in brackets are approx. how many species per genus.

Uses

They are economically important, as Agar can be derived from many types of red seaweeds, including those from families such as Gelidiaceae, Gracilariaceae, Gelidiellaceae and Pterocladiaceae. It is a polysaccharide located in the inner part of the red algal cell wall. It is used in food material, medicines, cosmetics, therapeutic and biotechnology industries.