PORT PHILLIP BAY


Brown Seaweed 

Lobospira bicuspidata

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

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:
Lobospira
Species:
bicuspidata

General Description

Fronds are flattened (compressed) becoming sub-cylindrical (sub-terete) lower. Numberous irregular, radial and spiral branching. Horned (bicuspid) branch tips (ramuli). Base is entangled with curved tendrils and hooks for attachment. Medium to dark brown. Up to 25 cm long (thallus).

Biology

This species attaches to hard surfaces or grows as an epiphyte on other species. It is eaten by abalone including Haliotis lavigata and Haliotis rubra.

Habitat

Shallow subtidal areas, to depth of 13 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern 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

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, Lobospira bicuspidata, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 09 Oct 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/12331

Text: creative commons cc by licence