Abstract:The decrease in the seaweed fl ora in some rocky areas, known as algal whitening or barren ground, is associated with some species of coralline algae. To determine the biological characteristics of a representative species of branched coralline alga, the number of medullary tiers was counted and ranged from 12 to 16. The 18S rDNA, psbA, and rbcL genes were used to confi rm the identifi cation of Corallina pilulifera. Measuring viability using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride showed highly viability from December to January. Cultural conditions of 16 °C, 16 h light:8 h dark cycle, and 40 μE m -2 s -1 light intensity were optimal for maintaining the viability of the coralline alga for up to three days. The fatty acids included 31.4% ω-3 eicosapentaenoic acid. Scanning electron microscopy of the surface structure revealed unique round wells about 7.9 ± 1.3 μm in diameter. The coralline alga, preventing fl eshy seaweeds, may be used as a potential template for the creation of new environmentally friendly biomimetic antifouling material against the attachment of soft foulants, especially micro-and macroalgae. Key words: Corallina pilulifera, fatty acid, tissue structure, viability.Resumen: La disminución de la fl ora de algas en algunas zonas rocosas , conocidas como el blanqueamiento de algas o de tierra árida, se asocia con algunas especies de algas coralinas. Para determinar las características biológicas de una especie representativa de alga coralina ramifi cada se contó el número de hileras medulares que varió de 12 a 16. Los genes 18S rDNA , psbA y rbcL se utilizaron para confi rmar la identifi cación de Corallina pilulifera. La viabilidad se medió utilizando cloruro de trifeniltetrazolio y ésta fue alta de diciembre a enero . Las condiciones de cultivo: 16 °C , 16 h luz:8 h oscuridad ciclo y una intensidad lumínica de 40 μE m -2 s -1 fueron óptimas para mantener la viabilidad de la alga coralina por un máximo de tres días. Los ácidos grasos incluyen 31.4% de ω-3 ácido eicosapentaenoico. La microscopía electrónica de barrido permitió observar la superfi cie tiene pozos redondos únicos de aproximadamente 7.9 ± 1,.3 μm de diámetro. El alga coralina, la prevención de algas carnosas, se puede utilizar como una plantilla para la creación de nuevo material anti-incrustante biomimético contra la unión de suciedades blandas, especialmente micro y macroalgas.

The disappearance of seaweed flora in some rocky areas, which is known as algal whitening, barren ground, coralline flats, or deforested areas, is associated with some species of coralline algae. To determine the biological characteristics of a representative species of crustose coralline alga, the 18S rDNA gene was sequenced to identify the genus Lithophyllum. According to its morphological and distributional characteristics, it was deduced to be L. yessoense. Viability was measured using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride and showed high viability from December to February. Culture conditions of 16°C, a 16 hr light, 8 hr dark cycle, and 30 µE/m 2 /s light intensity were optimal for maintaining the viability of the alga for up to five days. Included in the fatty acids was 9.7% ω-3 eicosapentaenoic acid. An electron microscopy scan of the surface structure revealed round craters about 3.6 µm in diameter, which were covered with rough, irregular, and angular polygon-shaped structures about 1.0 to 3.7 µm in size. Based on the composition and structure found in our study, biomimetic coralline alga might become an environmentally friendly antifouling material against the attachment of soft foulants.