Codium bursa
Species of alga
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Codium bursa is a green marine algae of medium size.
| Codium bursa | |
|---|---|
| |
| Codium bursa in Niolon near Marseille | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Ulvophyceae |
| Order: | Bryopsidales |
| Family: | Codiaceae |
| Genus: | Codium |
| Species: | C. bursa |
| Binomial name | |
| Codium bursa | |
Description
Codium bursa is a marine alga growing to 30 cm across. It generally appears as a spongy sphere of utricles which at the surface form a cortex. It is composed of loosely packed filaments which at the surface form a cortex of utricles which are single celled bladder-like or club-shaped structures.[2] It has a velvety texture and is dark green in colour. The alga is attached by a holdfast of filaments.[3]
Distribution
In the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to the ireland,[4] where they perhaps are originating further south, since C. bursa is very persistent in drift.[4] In Ireland the most recent record was in 1977 from County Donegal.[5] also recorded from other countries in Europe.[3] In the Mediterranean often found accompanying the seagrass Posidonia oceanica and commonly found beachcast amongst leaves of Posidonia oceanica.[4]
Habitat
Codium bursa grows sublittorally attached to rock to 10 m deep in the Atlantic Ocean[3] and up to 50 meters deep in the Mediterranean Sea.[4]
See also
- Marimo, a round, freshwater algae