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Species
Algae
Identifying algae is not always easy! Learn more about the algae monitored by the LiMPETS program. The list below includes:
- 16 core taxa that are monitored at as many sites as possible
- 3 other taxa (denoted with *) that are monitored at only one or two sites
Go to Datasheets and Forms to find out which species are monitored at your LiMPETS site of interest.
- Dead man’s fingers – Codium fragile
- Encrusting coralline algae – Many species
- Feather boa kelp – Egregia menziesii
- Flattened rockweeds – Fucus spp./Hesperophycus californicus
- Green pin-cushion alga – Cladophora columbiana
- Iridescent algae – Mazzaella flaccida/splendens
- Lawn alga – Chondracanthus canaliculatus
- Nori – Porphyra spp.
- Scouring-pad alga – Endocladia muricata
- Sea lettuces – Ulva spp.
- Sea sacs – Halosaccion glandiforme
- Slender rockweeds – Pelvetiopsis limitata/Silvetia compressa
- Stunted turkish towel – Mastocarpus spp./Mazzaella affinis
- Surfgrasses – Phyllospadix scouleri/torreyi
- Tar spot algae – Mastocarpus spp./Ralfsia spp. and others
- Upright coralline algae – Bossiella spp./Calliarthon spp./Corallina spp.
- * Christmas card algae – Microcladia spp./Plocamium spp.
- * Frilly red algae – Cryptopleura spp.
- * Vermicelli alga – Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis
- We also monitor:
- Bare rock
- Loose sand
- Tar (petroleum)
Scouring Pad Alga(Endocladia muricata)
- Description:
- This is dense, bushy, stiff, profusely branched, and spine-covered algae. It forms dark-brown to reddish-brown clumps that grow to be 3-8 cm tall. For LiMPETS monitoring purposes, it is crucial to note that an extremely similar species, Caulacanthus ustulatus, can be confused with the native scouring pad alga, E. muricata. The best way to distinguish between the two species is to pinch off a piece and look at the axes: E. muricata has small spines along its axis and C. ustulatus does not. The axes of C. ustulatus are round and the tips are pointed. In addition, E. muricata is a dark red/brown color, while C. ustulatus is a lighter red. Learn to distinguish between these two species, before going into the field. C. ustulatus is a non-native, potentially invasive species that has the potential to displace E. muricata.
- Distribution:
- Alaska to Baja California.
- Habitat:
- Abundant in the high intertidal on tops or vertical faces of rocks and on mussels. The highly branched, bushy nature of this alga and the clumps that it forms enable it to retain moisture during low tide; allowing it to survive in the high intertidal.
- Diet:
- Sunlight and dissolved nutrients, which are required for photosynthesis.
- Fun Fact:
- This alga serves as a refuge for more than 90 species of animals, including snails, worms, mussel, and fly larvae and is usually found in association with small acorn barnacles, Balanus glandula and Chthamalus spp.; other common inhabitants of the high intertidal.
- Reason for Monitoring:
- Sensitive to trampling and is a high and upper mid zone indicator.
- References:
- Mondragon, J and J. Mondragon. 2003. Seaweeds of the Pacific Coast: Common Marine Algae from Alaska to Baja California. Sea Challengers, Monterey,California.
- MaRINE: Multi-agency Rocky Intertidal Network