PORT PHILLIP BAY


Brown Seaweed 

Zonaria crenata

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Similar to other species in the genus Zonaria and most reliably distinguished by microscopic examination of cells and blade characters.

Zonaria angustata: blades with chisel- or fan-like tips often slightly twisted, 6-8 regular rows of cells, sporangia without hairs.

Zonaria crenata: blades with fan-shaped and notched tips, 6 rows of equal sized cells, hydroids cover surface.

Zonaria spiralis: blades with fan-shaped tips and twisting, several rows of equal-sized cells middle (medullary) cells, surface cells paired.

Zonaria turneriana: blades with fan-shaped or rounded tips, several rows of equal-sized cells middle (medullary) cells, surface cells paired.

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:
Dictyotales
Family:
Dictyotaceae
Genus:
Zonaria
Species:
crenata

General Description

Flat bladed alga with irregular divided branching which arises as a split in an existing blade at the tip (apicial). Blades broad with lateral wings giving a ragged appearance. Blade tips are fan-shaped with notches at edge. Holdfast at base is thick, matted and root-like (rhizoidal). Light to dark brown. Up to 25 cm long (thallus).

Biology

The upper parts of the fronds of this seaweed are covered with a network of hydroids, Scoresbia daidala.

Habitat

Subtidal rocky reefs, to depth of 25 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

Easter Island, Indonesia, India, Chile and Australia.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses › Brown algae

Depth

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, Brown Seaweed, Zonaria crenata, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 13 Jan 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/11323

Text: creative commons cc by licence