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Delicate
feathery green seaweed
Caulerpa sertularioides
Family Caulerpaceae
updated
Sep 2019
Where
seen? This elegant feathery green seaweed is sometimes seen on our shores,
growing on sand, coral rubble and among seagrasses. Usually found
in clumps, which can cover an area of about 40-50cm. But it does not
blanket the shore like other seasonally abundant seaweeds.
Features: A feathery structure
5-7cm long. The central 'stem' of the feathery structure is cylindrical.
The side 'branches' are long and cylindrical (not flattened) with
pointed tips. Sometimes, the feathery structure has a 'waist' near
the tip.These feathery structures emerge along the length of a horizontal
'stem' that creeps over hard surfaces or just under the sand. Bright
green to olive green.
Sometimes confused with other
feathery green seaweeds or with seagrasses.
Here's more on how to tell apart different
feathery green seaweeds and how to tell apart feathery
green seaweeds and seagrasses.
Role in the habitat: The seaweed
is said to be eaten by some species of sea
hares.
Human uses: This seaweed is reported
to be edible, to have antibacterial, antifungal and antitumor properties,
and to be used to treat high blood pressure and goiter. However, some Caulerpa species produce toxins to protect themselves from
browsing fish. This also makes them toxic to humans.
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Pulau Sekudu, Jun 05
Cylindrical
'branches'
on a narrow central 'stem'.
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Pulau Sekudu, Jun 04
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Sentosa, Apr 07
Turns
transparent after releasing spores?
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Delicate
feathery green seaweeds on Singapore shores |
Other sightings on Singapore shores |
Coney Island, Oct 20
Photo shared by Richard Kuah on facebook.
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Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Jun 23
Photo shared by Vincent Choo on facebook. |
Pulau Hantu, Apr 21
Photo shared by Vincent Choo on facebook. |
Terumbu Pempang Tengah, Jun 20
Photo shared by Vincent Choo on facebook.
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Terumbu Berkas, Jan 10
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Links
References
- Lee Ai Chin, Iris U. Baula, Lilibeth N. Miranda and Sin Tsai Min ; editors: Sin Tsai Min and Wang Luan Keng, A photographic guide to the marine algae of Singapore, 2015. Tropical Marine Science Institute, 201 pp.
- Pham, M.
N., H. T. W. Tan, S. Mitrovic & H. H. T. Yeo, 2011. A
Checklist of the Algae of Singapore, 2nd Edition. Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore,
Singapore. 99 pp. Uploaded 1 October 2011.
- Eric Coppejans
and Tom Beeckman. 1990. Caulerpa
(Chlorophyta, Caulerpales) from the Kenyan coast (pdf).
Laboratorium voor Morfologie, Systematiek en Ecologie van de Planten
R.U.G. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium on the Phycology
Research website: identification key and useful diagrams on
how to tell apart similar Caulerpa species.
- Huisman,
John M. 2000. Marine
Plants of Australia University of Western Australia Press. 300pp.
- Calumpong,
H. P. & Menez, E. G., 1997.Field
Guide to the Common Mangroves, Seagrasses and Algae of the Philippines.
Bookmark, Inc., the Philippines. 197 pp.
- Trono, Gavino.
C. Jr., 1997. Field
Guide and Atlas of the Seaweed Resources of the Philippines..
Bookmark, Inc., the Philippines. 306 pp.
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