PORT PHILLIP BAY


Brown Seaweed 

Dictyota furcellata

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

May be confused with the similar species Dictyota dichotoma var. intricate. A distinguishing feature of this Dictyota furcellata is a hemispherical-shaped cell at the apical tip which can be seen microscopically. The two pronged tips of blades is a distinctive feature for this and all other species in the Dictyoltales.

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:
Dictyota
Species:
furcellata

General Description

Narrow, flattened fronds branching in an even fork (dichotomous) pattern. Tips (apices) of fronds pointed through to round. Holdfast root-like (rhizoidal) at base branches. Dark brown. Up to 20 cm long (thallus).

Biology

A new molecule (a metabolite) was recently extracted from Dictyota furcellata. Similar metabolite are used in the development of anti-coagulant and anti-platelet medicines.

Habitat

Tidal pools to deep subtidal reef, sheltered coasts, to depth of 35 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Mauritius, New Zealand and Australia.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses › Brown algae

Depth

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

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

20 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, Dictyota furcellata, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 01 Jan 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/12333

Text: creative commons cc by licence