Electronic Flora of South Australia Species Fact Sheet

Caulerpa cliftonii Harvey.

Phylum Chlorophyta – Order Caulerpales – Family Caulerpaceae

Selected citations: Lucas 1936: 41, fig. 22. Weber van Bosse 1898: 303. Womersley 1956: 366.

Stolon robust, 3–4 mm in diameter, cartilaginous, naked, epilithic. Erect fronds (Fig. 88F) dark green, with simple to several times irregularly branched axes, usually 6–22 cm high and 2–4 (–6) cm across; axes terete, 1–1.5 mm in diameter, densely covered with irregularly placed ramuli from near their base. Ramuli (Fig. 89E) (1–) 2–3 (–4) cm long, alternately branched (1–) 3–5 times in their lower third to half, with the branches upwardly curved, terete, 300–500 µm in diameter, with a tapering, spinous to rounded apex.

Type from W. Aust. (probably near Fremantle) (Clifton); in TCD.

Selected specimens: Port Denison, W. Aust., outer reef pools (Woelkerling, 8.xi.1968; ADU, A33141). Pearson I., S. Aust. 35 m deep (Shepherd, 7.i.1969, ADU, A34037). Encounter Bay, S. Aust. (Cleland, ADU, A3501). Cape du Couedic, Kangaroo I., S. Aust., shaded pools (Womersley, 16.i.1965; ADU, A28958). Point Lonsdale, Vic., upper sublittoral pools (Womersley, 21.i.1967; ADU, A31708).

Distribution map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of SA

Distribution: From Port Denison and the Abrolhos Is, W. Aust. to Port Phillip Heads, Vic., mainly in shaded rock pools on rough-water coasts, recorded to 50 m deep.

Taxonomic notes: C. clifionii is superficially similar to C. obscura but differs in that the usually 3–5 times branched ramuli are borne directly on the frond axes and the stolon is naked.

References:

LUCAS, A.H.S. (1936). The Seaweeds of South Australia. Pt. I. Introduction and the Green and Brown Seaweeds. (Govt Printer: Adelaide.)

WEBER van BOSSE, A. (1898). Monographie des Caulerpes. Ann. Jardin Bot. Buitenzorg 15, 243–401, Plates 20–34.

WOMERSLEY, H.B.S. (1956). A critical survey of the marine algae of southern Australia. I. Chlorophyta. Aust. J. mar. freshw. Res. 7, 343–383.

The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia Part I complete list of references.

Author: H.B.S. Womersley

Publication: Womersley, H.B.S. (31 May, 1984)
The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia
Part I
©Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, Government of South Australia

Illustrations in Womersley Part I, 1984: FIGS 88F, 89E.

Figure 88   enlarge

Fig. 88. A. Caulerpa longifolia (ADU, A39569). B. Caulerpa longifolia f. crispata (ADU, A34035). C. Caulerpa trifaria (ADU, A33516). D. Caulerpa brownii(ADU, A26535). E. Caulerpa brownii (ADU, A46864). F. Caulerpa cliftonii(ADU, A34037). G. Caulerpa obscura (ADU, A38574). H. Caulerpa hedleyi (ADU, A38175).

Figure 89   enlarge

Fig. 89. A. Caulerpa longifolia, ramuli (ADU, A39569). B. Caulerpa longifolia f. crispata, ramuli (ADU, A34035). C. Caulerpa trifaria, ramuli (ADU, A33516). D. Caulerpa brownii, ramuli (ADU, A26535). E. Caulerpa cliftonii, branched ramulus (ADU, A34037). F. Caulerpa obscura, secondary lateral with ramuli (FI) and apex of ramulus (F2) (ADU, A38574). G. Caulerpa flexilis, ramuli (ADU, A46868). H. Caulerpa hedleyi, ramuli on axis (HI) and single ramulus (H2) (ADU, A38175).

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