The Sporolithaceae is the only known family of algae in the Sporolithales order.

[1] They are differentiated from the Corallinaceae, by their formation of conceptacles with one or many pores.

[3][4] Species in the Sporolithales (and also the Sporolithaceae), have the characteristics of the Corallinophycidae,[5] but differs from other orders (Corallinales, Rhodogorgonales) in producing tetrasporangia within calcified sporangial compartments and in having tetrasporocytes that undergo cruciate cleavage.

[6] The Graticulaceae (fossil family) are structurally similar to the Sporolithaceae, but are Paleozoic and date back to the Wenlock (Silurian).

This Rhodophyta-related article is a stub.