PORT PHILLIP BAY


Red Seaweed 

Diplocladia patersonis

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

May be confused with Cladostephus spongiosus which is denuded at base, has distinct sets of unbranched branchlets and has a crustose holdfast.

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:
Rhodophyta
Subphylum:
Eurhodophytina
Class:
Florideophyceae
Subclass:
Rhodymeniophycidae
Order:
Ceramiales
Family:
Rhodymeniaceae
Genus:
Diplocladia
Species:
patersonis

General Description

Main axis has long secondary branches which have multiple tertiary branches (laterals) arranged in a radial pattern. Holdfast at base is root-like (rhizoidal). Dark brown-red to yellowed almost grey when sandy. Up to about 6 cm long (thallus).

Biology

This seaweed is often noticeable in sandy shallow tidal pools where it accumulates sand and may look like a branched, grey pipe-cleaner.

Habitat

Intertidal rocky reefs, tidal pools and shallow subtidal reefs on moderate water coasts.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

New Zealand and Australia.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses Red algae

Depth

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

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

6 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, Red Seaweed, Diplocladia patersonis, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 10 Dec 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/11333

Text: creative commons cc by licence