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Species
Algae
Identifying algae is not always easy! Learn more about the algae monitored by the LiMPETS program. The list below includes:
- 16 core taxa that are monitored at as many sites as possible
- 3 other taxa (denoted with *) that are monitored at only one or two sites
Go to Datasheets and Forms to find out which species are monitored at your LiMPETS site of interest.
- Dead man’s fingers – Codium fragile
- Encrusting coralline algae – many species
- Feather boa kelp – Egregia menziesii
- Flattened rockweeds – Fucus gardneri/Hesperophycus californicus
- Green pin-cushion alga – Cladophora columbiana
- Iridescent algae – Mazzaella flaccida/splendens
- Lawn alga – Chondracanthus canaliculatus
- Nori – Porphyra spp.
- Scouring-pad alga – Endocladia muricata
- Sea lettuces – Ulva spp.
- Sea sacs – Halosaccion glandiforme
- Slender rockweeds – Pelvetiopsis limitata/Silvetia compressa
- Stunted turkish towel – Mastocarpus spp./Mazzaella affinis
- Surfgrasses – Phyllospadix scouleri/torreyi
- Tar spot algae – Mastocarpus spp./Ralfsia spp. and others
- Upright coralline algae – Bossiella spp./Calliarthron spp./Corallina spp.
- * Christmas card algae – Microcladia spp./Plocamium spp.
- * Frilly red algae – Cryptopleura spp.
- * Vermicelli alga – Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis
- We also monitor:
- Bare rock
- Loose sand
- Tar (petroleum)
Feather Boa Kelp (Egregia menziesii)
- Description:
- This is a chocolate brown to olive green colored kelp. It has a long, flat stipe with numerous flat, feathery lateral blades and floats, which help keep it afloat and growing towards the surface. The stipe may reach lengths of 10 m and the blades may grow to be 8 cm long. Feather boa kelp has a very strong holdfast, 25 cm in diameter, which helps the alga remain attached to rocky substrate in surge channels.
- Distribution:
- Alaska to Baja California.
- Habitat:
- Common on rocks in moderately exposed areas in the mid-low intertidal and subtidal.
- Diet:
- Sunlight and dissolved nutrients, which are required for photosynthesis.
- Fun Fact:
- Feather boa kelp (Egregia) gets its name from the Latin word egregius, meaning “remarkable.” This alga was given this name for its incredible strength.
- Reason for Monitoring:
- It is a low zone indicator.
- References:
- Encyclopedia of the Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute: Marine Botany
- Mondragon, J and J. Mondragon. 2003. Seaweeds of the Pacific Coast: Common Marine Algae from Alaska to Baja California. Sea Challengers, Monterey,California.