PORT PHILLIP BAY


Green Seaweed 

Caulerpa vesiculifera

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Confused with Caulerpa simpliciuscula which is darker green in colour, has smaller and more numerous vesicles doesn't have the short rounded stems attaching vesicles to the stem. Also confused with Caulerpa papillosa, although the vesicles differ in shape as they have a distinct constriction mid way down the vesicle.

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:
vesiculifera

General Description

Thick alga, simple or several branched stems (axes) covered in densely aggregated egg-shaped vesicles (ramuli) that are attached to main stem by short rounded stem (pedicel). Alga attached to surface by runner (stolon). Pale to dark green. Up to 25 cm long (thallus).

Biology

This species attaches to rock or shell grit.

Habitat

Tidal pools and subtidal reef on rough water coasts, to depth of 25 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Phillipines and 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

25 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, Caulerpa vesiculifera, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 13 Jan 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/11289

Text: creative commons cc by licence