PORT PHILLIP BAY


Brown Seaweed 

Zonaria spiralis

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:
spiralis

General Description

Flat bladed alga with multiple irregular divided branching which arises as a split in an existing blade at the tip (apicial). Central area of the branch (axes) and entire lower branches are flattened and covered in tufted filaments, with dark cells creating the appearance of a mid-rib. Blades are strongly twisted, mostly in a spiral, and have frequent short side branches (laterals). Blade tips are fan-shaped with a line of dark cells. Holdfast at base is felty, matted and root-like (rhizoidal). Dark brown. Up to 15 cm long (thallus).

Habitat

Subtidal rocky reefs, to depth of 38 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses › Brown algae

Depth

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

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

15 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, Brown Seaweed, Zonaria spiralis, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 21 Sep 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/11324

Text: creative commons cc by licence