CHROMOPHYTA : Sphacelariales : Sphacelariaceae | BROWN ALGAE |
Description: A small filamentous algae, growing erect as tufts to 5 cms. Main axis with transverse and longitudinal divisions ending with a large apical cell. Branches variable, abundant and more or less pinnate, opposite.
Habitat: Abundant in the littoral and infralittoral to 12 m, usually epiphytic.
Distribution: Widespread around the British Isles. Europe: Mediterranen, Azores, Atlantic coasts of Spain and France, the Netherlands, Baltic Sea, Norway, Sweden and the Faroes. Atlantic coast of North America: Canada, Maine, Connecticut, New Jersey and Virginia. Further afield: Cumberland Sound in Baffin Bay and coast of Greenland, Canary Island and Cape Verde Islands.
Similar Species: Most species of Sphacelaria and other small branched brown algae are very alike. They require microscopic examination for identification.
Distribution Map from NBN: Sphacelaria cirrosa at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.
iNaturalist: Sphacelaria cirrosa at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.
WoRMS: Sphacelaria cirrosa at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Sphacelaria cirrosa (Roth) C.Agardh, 1824. AphiaID: 145892.
Classification: Biota; Chromista; Harosa; Heterokonta; Ochrophyta; Phaeophyceae; Dictyotophycidae; Sphacelariales; Sphacelariaceae; Sphacelaria
Previous species | Next species |
Morton, O. & Picton, B.E. (2024). Sphacelaria cirrosa. (Roth) C Agardh. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland. https://www2.habitas.org.uk/marbiop-ni/speciesaccounts.php?item=ZR4150. Accessed on 2024-10-05 |