Post on 18-Dec-2015
Benthic/Invertebrate Training
Algae Swath
Johnson
Macrocystis pyrifera
Macrocystis pyrifera
• Count all plants larger than 1 meter high
• When counting stipes of Macrocystis plants, begin counting at 1 meter above bottom (usually waist high if standing)
Nereocystis luetkeana
Efird
Nereocystis luetkeana
• Must be at or above 30 cm in height to count
• Long spindly stipe ending with large pneumatocyst at the top of water
Cystoseira osmundacea
>6cm
Efird
Efird
Cystoseira osmundacea
• Become reproductive with long chain bladders during summer season
• Must be at least 6 cm in diameter to be counted
• In order to get a proper count, it is necessary to grab each plant and find its base to distinguish an individual from a group of plants
Pterygophera californicaEfird
Photo from Gotshall
Pterygophera californica
• Has very sturdy woody stipe
• Frond contains long, wide midrib with several blades sticking out on either side
• Count all Pterygophera plants above 30cm high
Eisenia arborea
Photo from Gotshall
Eisenia arborea
• Has very thick, flexible stipe which spits into two at the top
• Several blades sprout out to each side of the Y-shaped stipe and gives alga a bushy appearance
• Count all Eisenia plants above 30cm high
Laminaria setchellii
Guiry
Photo from Gotshall
Laminaria setchellii
• Has very slender, flexible stipe
• Frond is long, wide and usually tears in several places causing it to look like a palm
• Count all Laminaria plants above 30cm high
Costaria costata
Costaria costata
• Large blade (up to 2m) with very small stipe
• This alga is characterized by its five ribs; two are located on one side of the blade, three on the other
Laminaria farlowii
Ragsac
Laminaria farlowii
• Has an extremely short stipe with long wide blade attached
• Blade must be 10 cm wide for plant to be counted
Alaria marginata
Alaria marginata
• Usually found in the low intertidal or very shallow subtidal
• Short stipe with very long blade, puckered around a pronounced midrib
Pleurophycus gardneri
Pleurophycus gardneri
• Seen frequently in more Southern sites such as Big Sur and Cambria
• Like Laminaria setchellii, but with large, lighter colored midrib up to 4 cm wide
• Blade is wavy with slight puckering at midrib
Undaria pinnatifida
Undaria pinnatifida
• When reproductive, it has a very large and distinct sporophyll at base of plant
• Easily spread invasive species; do not pull up, but mark its location and notify leader of dive team
Conclusion
• Any member of the benthic/invert team may be asked to perform algae counts
• It is extremely important for every person on the invert team to be proficient on algae swath species and protocol