Dictyotaceae is large family of brown algae (class Phaeophyceae). It is the only family in the monotypic order Dictyotales (from Greek diktyotos 'netlike'). Members of this family generally prefer warmer waters than other brown algae and are prevalent in tropical and subtropical waters thanks to their many chemical defenses to ward off grazers. They display an isomorphic haplodiploid life cycle and are characterized by vegetative growth through a single apical cell. One genus in this family, Padina, is the only calcareous member of the brown algae. Lobophora variegata (= Pocockiella varieagata) often presents a beautiful blue iridescence due to microscopic bacteria which live on the surface of the blades . A number of genera are known as forkweed (e.g. Dictyota, Glosophora, Dilophus, Dictyopteris, Pachydictyon and Lobospira.

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