Tips for Identifying
Nongeniculate corallines are very difficult to identify taxonomically. Some hints:
1. Collect the sample and bring it back to the lab.
2. Familiarize yourself with local genera and their characteristics.
3. Look under dissecting scope and identify properties.
4. It is necessary to make slides of the sample. Thicker samples will need to be decalcified first, but thin ones may not. To decalcify use .6M HNO 3 until bubbling stops, and then put in EtOH. Slice into thin cross sections and put on slide and look under compound scope (or whatever is have available). Scanning electron microscopes are good for pieces and whole mounts.
© 2001 Melissa Roth