Description: Microscopic. A network of filaments growing between the outer layers of the cell walls of Cladophora pellucida.

Habitat: Within the cell walls of Cladophora pellucida. Low littoral and sublittoral.

Distribution: Generally south-western, rarely recorded and possibly overlooked. The host, Cladophora pellucida is a species of the more southern shores of the British Isles found as far north as Co. Down in Ireland and in the Isle of Man. Europe: Mediterranean, Atlantic coast of Spain and France. Further afield: Canary Islands.

Key Identification Features:

• Red endophyte in the green alga Cladophora pellucida.

Distribution Map from NBN: Schmitziella endophloea at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Schmitziella endophloea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Schmitziella endophloea at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Schmitziella endophloea Bornet & Batters, 1892. AphiaID: 144406.

Classification: Biota; Plantae; Biliphyta; Rhodophyta; Eurhodophytina; Florideophyceae; Rhodymeniophycidae; Gigartinales; Schmiziellaceae; Schmitziella