PORT PHILLIP BAY


Crayweed 

Phyllospora comosa

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Can be confused with Macrocystis pyrifera but occurs on littoral margin (c.f. deeper water), has thickened laterals (c.f. leafy and corrugated) and vesicles are independent of laterals (c.f. at base of lateral).

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:
Ochrophyta
Subphylum:
Phaeista
Superclass:
Fucistia
Class:
Phaeophyceae
Order:
Fucales
Family:
Seirococcaceae
Genus:
Phyllospora
Species:
comosa

General Description

Multi-branched with main stems (primary branch) long and flat with smooth thickened fronds (laterals) with toothed edges arising from short stems in random pattern along main stem. Oval shaped vesicles arise on short stems, arranged randomly between laterals on main stem. Holdfast centre is disc-oval with multiple roots (haptera) radiating in whorls. Dark brown. Up to 2 m long (thallus).

Biology

When present, this seawed can be common in nearshore waters.

Habitat

Deep tidal pools and subtidal rocky reefs with rough wave action, to depth of 18 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Australia.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses Brown algae

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

2 m

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, Crayweed, Phyllospora comosa, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 09 Oct 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/11308

Text: creative commons cc by licence