PORT PHILLIP BAY


Red Seaweed 

Lophurella periclados

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:
Rhodophyta
Subphylum:
Eurhodophytina
Class:
Florideophyceae
Subclass:
Rhodymeniophycidae
Order:
Ceramiales
Family:
Rhodymeniaceae
Genus:
Lophurella
Species:
periclados

General Description

Tufted, multiple cylindrical axes, arising from flat lying (prostrate) tangled branches. Upper branches (axes) are covered in fixed length (determinate), branched laterals arranged in a radial pattern. Very dark red-brown. Up to 10 cm long (thallus).

Biology

This alga often forms dense turfs. It grows on hard surfaces such as rocks and mussels, also occasionally as an epiphyte on other algae. It attaches to the surfaces with root-like (rhizoid) extensions on lower branches.

Habitat

Low tide level, moderate to exposed waters, to depth of 6 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

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

10 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, Lophurella periclados, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 10 Dec 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/12338

Text: creative commons cc by licence