Chaetomorpha melagonium

Chaetomorpha melagonium is a species of green algae of the family Cladophoraceae.

Chaetomorpha melagonium
Detail of a strand of Chaetomorpha melagonium dried in an herbarium
Scientific classification
Phylum: Chlorophyta
Class: Ulvophyceae
Order: Cladophorales
Family: Cladophoraceae
Genus: Chaetomorpha
Species:
C. melagonium
Binomial name
Chaetomorpha melagonium

There is confusion as to whether there are two forms of this species - one attached and one unattached.[1]

Description

The attached form is unbranched growing solitary or in a small group to 60 cm long. The filaments are attached at the base and are stiff and straight. In colour they are dark green with a glaucus sheen.[1] Remarkably rigid and wiry.[2] The cells are so large they can seen with naked eye.[3]

Habitat

Rock pools of the low littoral.[1] Never abundant,[4] but widespread.

Distribution

Widespread around the British Isles, along the Atlantic shores of Europe, Murman Sea, Greenland, Canadian Arctic.[1]

References
  1. Burrows, E.M. 1991. Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 2 Chlorophyta. Natural History Museum, London ISBN 0-565-00981-8
  2. Harvey, W.H. 1841. A Manual of the British Algae: London
  3. Hardy, F.G. and Guiry, M.D.2003. A Check-list and Atlas of the Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. The British Phycological Society ISBN 09527115 16
  4. Newton, J. 1931. A Handbook of the British Seaweeds. British Museum, London


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