PORT PHILLIP BAY


Green Seaweed 

Chaetomorpha valida

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Can be confused with Chaetomorpha capillaris which occurs in the intertidal and has smaller cells. Can be confused with Chaetomorpha indica which has smaller cells and is light to medium green in colour. Can also be confused with Chaetomorpha billardierii which differs in having fairly straight, less rigid and lighter green filaments, though habitat can affect form. Can also be confused with Chaetomorpha billardierii which differs in having fairly straight, less rigid and lighter green filaments, though habitat can affect form.

Main information sources:
Womersley, H.B.S., (1984-2003). The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia. Part 1-3d. Govt. Printer, South Australia.
Baldock, R.N. 2010. Algae Revealed. South Australian State Herbarium. Website.
AlgaeBase. Website.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chlorophyta
Subphylum:
Tetraphytina
Class:
Ulvophyceae
Order:
Cladophorales
Family:
Cladophoraceae
Genus:
Chaetomorpha
Species:
valida

General Description

Unbranched filaments appearing as a loose tangle. Filaments are curved, rigid, and occasionally crisped. No holdfast or attachment cells. Dark green. Up to 15 cm (thallus).

Biology

This wirey seaweed is one of several on the genus Chaetomorphora. It resembles tangled green fishing line and is used as decoration in household aquariums.

Habitat

Shallow subtidal areas.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

China, Fiji, New Zealand and southern Australia.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses › Green algae

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

15 cm

Diet

Photosynthetic - sunlight

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Pocklington, Jacqui

Jacqui Pocklington is a Research Associate with expertise in algal taxonomy.

citation

Cite this page as:
Pocklington, Jacqui, 2011, Green Seaweed, Chaetomorpha valida, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/11292

Text: creative commons cc by licence