PORT PHILLIP BAY


Green Seaweed 

Caulerpa alternans

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

This species is very similar to Caulerpa remotifolia which is larger (frond to 30cm) and having different shaped branchlets (thick at base and tapering to point at tip).

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
Class:
Ulvophyceae
Order:
Bryopsidales
Family:
Caulerpaceae
Genus:
Caulerpa
Species:
alternans

General Description

Simple to irregularly branched alga arising from slender naked runner (stolon). Branchlets (ramuli) flat and straight to slightly curved ending in a spiny tip. Arranged in an alternate pattern on opposite sides of main stem (axis) on one plane. Medium green. Up to 10 cm long (thallus).

Biology

Tropical species of this genus are used for ornamental decoration in household aquariums.

Habitat

Deep subtidal reefs, to depth of 40 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

South Australia and Victoria.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses Green algae

Depth

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

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

10 cm

Diet

Photosynthetic - sunlight

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to 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, Caulerpa alternans, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 03 Nov 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/11278

Text: creative commons cc by licence