Zonaria (alga)

Zonaria is a genus of thalloid brown alga comprising approximately 12 species. Specimens can reach around 25 cm in size, all of which exhibit a characteristic semi-circular growth pattern which produces distinct alternating patterns of darker and lighter tissue akin to tree rings. Zonaria produces tetraspores.

Zonaria is widespread with some species being locally abundant upon shallow subtidal of rock reefs.

The species currently recognised are: • Zonaria angustata

• Zonaria atomaria

• Zonaria crenata

• Zonaria diesingiana

• Zonaria farlowii

• Zonaria spiralis

• Zonaria stipitata

• Zonaria subarticulata

• Zonaria tournefortii

• Zonaria turneriana

The three Zonaria Australian species Z. turneriana, Z. crenata and Z. angustata produce phloroglucinol derivatives.