Electronic Flora of South Australia Species Fact Sheet

Caulerpa hedleyi Weber van Bosse 1910: I, pl. 1 figs 1–4.

Phylum Chlorophyta – Order Caulerpales – Family Caulerpaceae

Selected citations: Lucas 1936: 43, fig. 25. Womersley 1956: 367; 1971: 116.

Stolon robust, 1.5–2.5 mm in diameter, covered by a dense, compact layer (200–300 i.tm thick) of branched, tapering, spinous-tipped ramuli, probably epilithic. Erect fronds (Fig. 88H) medium grey-green, with simple or occasionally branched axes 3–8 cm high and 1–3 cm across, axes (0.5–) 1–2 mm thick, bearing alternately distichous and closely arranged second-order laterals above the basal 0.5–3 cm; second-order laterals 0.7–1.3 mm thick with axes about 0.3 mm thick. Ratnuli (Fig. 89H1) densely covering all parts of the axes and second-order laterals, 0.2–0.5 mm long, several times branched, 50–75 µm in diameter near their base and tapering evenly to spinous tips (Fig. 89H2).

Type from "off Kangaroo I.," S. Aust. (Hedley); in NSW.

Selected specimens: The Basin, Rottnest I., W. Aust., shallow sublittoral reef (Smith, Jan. 1966; UWA 2584b and ADU, A50545). Egg I., Isles of St Francis, S. Aust., 32–38 m deep (Shepherd, 11.i.1971; ADU, A38084). Pearson I., S. Aust., 22 m deep (Shepherd, 9.i.1969; ADU, A34054). Investigator Strait, S. Aust., 31 m deep (Watson Stn Z13, 25.i.1971; ADU, A38175).

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

Distribution: Known from Rottnest I., W. Aust., and the Isles of St Francis, Pearson I. and Investigator Strait, S. Aust.

Taxonomic notes: This is usually a deep water species and the Rottnest I. specimens were probably heavily shaded. The distichous second-order laterals and minute, branched spinous ramuli are distinguishing features.

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. (1910). Note sur les Caulerpa de l'île Taiti et sur un nouveau Caulerpa de la Nouvelle-Hollande. Ann. Inst. Oceanoqr. 2, 1–8, Plates 1–2.

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 88H, 89H.

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).

Email Contact: State Herbarium of South Australia