Vanvoorstia bennettiana

Vanvoorstia bennetiana was a small red algae. Like other members of its genus, V. bennettiana did not have significant differences in morphology throughout any phase of its life cycle. It can be distinguished from other members of its genus by its small size and by the structure of its reproductive organs. The overall structure of the algae is that of a blade with fine meshing. The algae has only been found in two localities; both in or near Sydney Harbour. One was near the eastern part of Spectacle Island, where it was discovered between May 1 and May 15, 1855. ==Extinction==

Since the V. bennettiana discovery, Sydney Harbour has been massively altered by human activities. These activities substantially increased the siltation level in Sydney Harbour. Fine-meshed algae species are especially vulnerable to this type of disturbance because the particulate matter can often clog the blade and prevent light necessary for photosynthesis from reaching the organism. Vanvoorstia bennettiana was, until an update in 2007, the only protist anywhere on the IUCN's Red List. ==References==