Pyropia rakiura facts for kids

Pyropia rakiura is a type of red seaweed, also known as a red alga. It used to be called Porphyra rakiura. This seaweed is found in the waters around New Zealand and Australia.

Pyropia rakiura grows in the intertidal zone. This is the part of the coast that is covered by water when the tide is high and exposed to the air when the tide is low. It mostly grows on rocks.

Scientists can tell Pyropia rakiura apart from other similar seaweeds, like P. cinnamomea, P. coleana, and P. virididentata. They look at its shape, size, and color. They also check how its cells are arranged under a microscope. Where and when the seaweed grows also helps identify it. A key difference is its number of chromosomes, which is n = 2 for Pyropia rakiura. Finally, each of these seaweeds has a unique genetic code in its DNA, which helps scientists identify them.

Where It Lives

You can find Pyropia rakiura along the coasts of New Zealand. It grows in the middle to lower parts of the intertidal zone. This includes the southern North Island, the South Island, and Stewart Island. It is also found on the coasts of Australia.