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Description: |
Cartilaginous, cylindrical, brownish red (drying black) fronds, to 200 mm high, in tufts from basal disc to 10 mm diam. Fronds 1-2 mm thick, undivided for some distance, then regularly and repeatedly dichotomously branched, axils rounded, apices pointed. A dark red or blackish seaweed with smooth, cartilaginous, cylindrical fronds, branching dichotomously in roughly the same plane. The fronds rise from a fleshy, discoid holdfast up to 2 cm in diameter. The reproductive bodies occur as oval shaped swellings along the sides of the branches or occasionally encircling them. The seaweed grows up to 20 cm in length. Original publication: Gaillon, B. (1828). Résumé méthodique des classifications des Thalassiophytes. Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles [Levrault] 53: 350-406, Tables 1-3.
 Download PDF from Algaebase Similar species
Furcellaria lumbricalis from which it many be distinguished by the absence of a rhizoidal base, wider branching angles (i.e. more fan-shaped), and that the fronds are red when held up to the light. Link for Algaebase A dark red or blackish seaweed with smooth, cartilaginous, cylindrical fronds, branching dichotomously in roughly the same plane. The fronds rise from a fleshy, discoid holdfast up to 2 cm in diameter. The reproductive bodies occur as oval shaped swellings along the sides of the branches or occasionally encircling them. The seaweed grows up to 20 cm in length. erect, cylindrical, dichotomously branching fronds.fleshy, discoid holdfast.dull red in colour, blackish when dry.tetrasporangia cruciate or irregular, borne on uppermost branches which become slightly thickened.cystocarps produced in oval, spongy, wart-like growths on one side of, or encircling, branch.spermatangia thin, plate-like and colourless.Link for MarLIN |
| Name History |
Adjective (Latin), almost circular, with length breadth ration of about 6 to 5 |
| Biogeography |
N and NE Atlantic (Artic ocean to Iberian Peninsula, Baltic); NW Atlantic (Artic Canada to New York). |
| References |
Bates, C.R., Saunders, G.W. & Chopin, T. (2005). An assessment of two taxonomic distinctness indices for detecting seaweed assemblage responses to environmental stress. Botanica Marina 48: 231-243. Braune, W. (2008). Meeresalgen. Ein Farbbildführer zu den verbreiteten benthischen Grün- Braun- und Rotalgen der Weltmeere. pp. [1]-596, pls 1-266 (colour photographs). Ruggell: A.R.G. Gantner Verlag. Dixon, P.S. & Irvine, L.M. (1977). Seaweeds of the British Isles. Volume 1. Rhodophyta. Part 1. Introduction, Nemaliales, Gigartinales. pp. xi + 252, 90 figs. London: British Museum (Natural History). Greville, R.K. (1830). Algae britannicae, or descriptions of the marine and other inarticulated plants of the British islands, belonging to the order Algae; with plates illustrative of the genera. pp. [i*-iii*], [i]-lxxxviii, [1]-218, pl. 1-19. Edinburgh & London: McLachlan & Stewart; Baldwin & Cradock. Loiseaux-de Goër, S. & Noailles, M.-C. (2008). Algues de Roscoff. pp. [1]-215, col. figs. Roscoff: Editions de la Station Biologique de Roscoff. Rao, C.S.P. (1956). The life-history and reproduction of Polyides caprinus (Gunn. ) Papenf.. Ann Bot 20: 211-230. |
| Habitat: |
Marine species, on rocks and stones in open sandy pools and runnels, lower intertidal and shallow subtidal |
| Common names: |
English: Discoid Forked Weed; Goat tang |
| Type information: |
Basionym: Fucus rotundus Hudson Type locality: St Ives, Cornwall, England (Dixon & Irvine 1977: 179). Lectotype: Hudson’s description based on herb. Sherard 1906, OXF (Dixon & Irvine 1977: 179). Notes: See also Drew (1958, pl. 61 |
