Bloom of the Giant Anadyomene Gigantodictyon Sp. Nov. (Anadyomenaceae, Cladophorales) from the Outer Slope (25–50 m) of the Belize Barrier Reef1

Researchers discovered a previously unknown giant form of the alga Anadyomene, now named Anadyomene gigantodictyon, thriving on the outer slope (25–50 m depth) of Belize's barrier reef. This species forms vast, net-like strands up to 10 meters long, covering 10% to 80% of a 0.5 km region, where no such algae had been observed just 12 months prior. The discovery highlights the unique morphological characteristics of this alga, including its unistratose blade structure with cylindrical to ovate cells and species-specific fan-shaped patterns. The study provides insights into the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of deep reef environments within UNESCO's Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System.

Littler, M. M., & Littler, D. S. (2012). BLOOM OF THE GIANT ANADYOMENE GIGANTODICTYON SP. NOV. (ANADYOMENACEAE, CLADOPHORALES) FROM THE OUTER SLOPE (25–50 m) OF THE BELIZE BARRIER REEF¹. Journal of Phycology, 48(1), 60–63. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8817.2011.01108.x