Dictyota implexa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Dictyota implexa | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Sar |
| Clade: | Stramenopiles |
| Phylum: | Ochrophyta |
| Class: | Phaeophyceae |
| Order: | Dictyotales |
| Family: | Dictyotaceae |
| Genus: | Dictyota |
| Species: | D. implexa |
| Binomial name | |
| Dictyota implexa (Desfontaines) J.V.Lamouroux[1] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Dictyota implexa is a species of brown alga found in the temperate eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
The thallus of Dictyota implexa is quite variable in appearance and is a yellowish-brown colour. It forms membranous, flattened, dichotomously-branching fronds up to 14 cm (5.5 in) long. These are anchored to the seabed by rhizoids, filamentous outgrowths that can absorb nutrients from their surroundings. The thallus branches are thread-like, only about 1 mm (0.04 in) thick, of uniform cross-section along their entire length.[2] Other seaweeds with which it could be confused include Dictyota dichotoma, Dictyota cyanoloma, Dictyota fasciola, Dictyota mediterranea, and Dictyota spiralis; D dichotoma is larger and more ribbon-like; D. cyanoloma is larger and iridescent, with a spiral growth form; D. fasciola is also spiral, but not iridescent; D. mediterranea has thread-like cylindrical branches but is more robust; and D. spiralis is more ribbon-like and is sparsely branched.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Dictyota implexa is native to the Mediterranean Sea and the adjacent temperate parts of the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It grows either on rocks, or epiphytically on the leaf blades of seagrasses such as Posidonia oceanica or on the thalli of larger seaweeds, at depths down to about 15 m (50 ft).[2]