| Class: |
Ulvophyceae (ex Bryopsidophyceae) |
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Description: |
This infrequently seen and slow growing green calcareous turf alga is usually referred to as "Dead Man’s Fingers." It forms thick and study finger-like filaments that are somewhat buoyant, yet nice looking and havens for small crustaceans. However, can reach a foot in height (30 cm) and is easily dislodged, breaking into smaller pieces and disintegrating. But if controlled, makes for a nice looking and somewhat useful alga. |
| Name History |
(Latin), deprived of bark, lacking a covering (Dawes & Mathieson 2008). |
| Biogeography |
Azores, European waters, Gulf of Mexico, Israeli [Mediterranean part], Kenya, Mediterranean Sea, Somalia, Tanzania, United Kingdom. |
| References |
Ahmad, V.U., Aliya, R., Perveen, S. & Shameel, M. (1993). Sterols from marine green alga Codium decorticatum. Phytochemistry 33: 1189-1192, 1 table.
Duke, C.S., Litaker, W. & Ramus, J. (1989). Effects of temperature, nitrogen supply, and tissue nitrogen on ammonium uptake rates of the chlorophyte seaweeds Ulva curvata and Codium decorticatum. Journal of Phycology 25: 113-120.
Schussnig, B. (1950). Die gametogenese von Codium decorticatum (Woodw.) Howe. Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift 44: 55-71.
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| Habitat: |
Inhabits shallow muddy bays and harbors, usually durning summer months. |
| Type information: |
Basionym: Ulva decorticata Woodward Type locality: Mediterranean Sea (Silva, Basson & Moe 1996: 852). |
