Kappaphycus is a genus of red algae. Species are distributed in the waters of East Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, China (Hainan Island), the Philippines, and Micronesia.Guiry, M. D. In: Guiry, M. D. & G. M. Guiry. 2013. Kappaphycus. AlgaeBase. National University of Ireland, Galway. Accessed 26 October 2025.
Description The genus Kappaphycus is "morphologically plastic", with few visible characters that can be used to separate the taxa, so distinguishing the species can be difficult. In addition, many commercial varieties have been bred. Molecular analyses can be used.Zuccarello, G. C., et al. (2006). Systematics and genetic variation in commercial Kappaphycus and Eucheuma (Solieriaceae, Rhodophyta). Journal of Applied Phycology 18(3-5) 643-51.Tan, J., et al. (2012). Assessment of four molecular markers as potential DNA barcodes for red algae Kappaphycus Doty and Eucheuma J. Agardh (Solieriaceae, Rhodophyta). PLoS ONE, 7(12), e52905.
In general, these algae have fleshy thalli that grow erect from one or more anchors. The longest individuals can exceed a meter in length.
Uses All species produce kappa-carrageenan. Farming of this is a large business in the Philippines. Gavino Trono is a Filipino biologist dubbed the “Father of Kappaphycus farming”.
Kappaphycus alvarezii is widely cultivated as a raw source of carrageenan, and other species are used, as well. Several Kappaphycus are invasive species.Conklin, E. J. and J. E. Smith. (2005). Abundance and spread of the invasive red algae, Kappaphycus spp., in Kane'ohe Bay, Hawai'i and an experimental assessment of management options. Biological Invasions 7(6), 1029-39.
Species The following species are recognised in the genus cc: Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty ex P.C.Silva, 1996 Kappaphycus cottonii (Weber Bosse) Doty ex P.C.Silva, 1996 Kappaphycus inermis (F.Schmitz) Doty ex H.D.Nguyen & Q.N.Huynh, 1995 Kappaphycus malesianus J.Tan, P.E.Lim & S.M.Phang, 2013 Kappaphycus procrusteanus (Kraft) Doty, 1988 Kappaphycus striatus (F.Schmitz) Doty ex P.C.Silva, 1996
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