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Electronic Flora of South Australia Species Fact Sheet

Ceramium flaccidum (Kützing) Ardissone 1871: 40.

Phylum Rhodophyta – Order Ceramiales – Family Ceramiaceae – Tribe Ceramieae

Selected citations: Cribb 1983: 82, pls 31 fig. 2, 59 figs 1–4. Huisman 1997: 196. Huisman et al. 1990: 96. Huisman & Walker 1990: 421. Kendrick et al. 1990: 51. Millar 1990: 395, figs 42, 43C–E. Millar & Kraft 1993: 38. Price & Scott 1992, 89; fig. 22. Silva et al. 1996: 397.

Synonyms

Hormoceras flaccidum Kützing 1862: 21, pl. 69a–d.

Ceramium gracillimum Griffiths & Harvey ex Harvey 1848: pl. 206. J. Agardh 1851: 118; 1876: 95; 1894: 43. Guiler 1952: 98. Harvey 1855a: 557; 1859b: 330; 1863, synop.: xlviii. Lucas 1909: 53; 1929a: 26; 1929b: 53. Lucas & Perrin 1947: 369. Nakamura 1965: 136, fig. 6, pl. 1 figs 5, 6. Reinbold 1898: 51. Sonder 1881: 12. Tisdall 1898: 503. Wilson 1892: 184. (NON C. gracillimum C. Agardh 1824: 140 = Compsothamnion. NON Hormoceras gracillimum Kützing 1841: 733 (= C. diaphanum?).

C. miniatum sensu Womersley 1950: 180. (NON Suhr ex J. Agardh 1851: 135.)

Thallus (Fig. 188E) light red to dark red-brown, slender, 0.5–5 (–10) cm high, with prostrate basal filaments producing several to numerous erect axes, branches alternate or occasionally subdichotomous, irregular to almost complanate above, usually with moderately short laterals near the apices and becoming denuded in lower parts where the red-brown nodes contrast with the colourless internodal regions; proliferous branchlets, slenderer than parent branches, often present. Attachment by unicellular rhizoids (including the digitate pads) arising from the periaxial cells of prostrate filaments; epiphytic or epilithic. Structure. Nodes usually broader than internodes (Fig. 188F, G), variable in thickness depending partly on degree of water movement; in strong water movement, 150–300 µm in nodal diameter below, tapering gradually to 75–100 µm near the apices; in slight water movement, 100–150 µm in nodal diameter below, decreasing to 40–80 µm near the apices; apices slightly to strongly involute. Axial cells isodiametric near apices, extending to L/D 4 (–6) below, with nodes 5–9 (–11) cells long and usually slightly broader acropetally than basipetally; internodal space shorter than nodes near apices, soon elongating to 3–6 (–10) times as long as node. Periaxial cells 6–7, each cutting off 2 cells acropetally which further cut off 1 or 2 cells to produce acropetal chains 3–4 cells long, successively smaller; basipetally, only a single, elongate derivative (Figs 188F, 190A–D) is cut off from each periaxial cell, and this derivative may then divide in various ways to form a second (rarely a third) elongate cell which remains intact (Fig. 190A) or to cut off two smaller cells (Fig. 188F), often from the corners, which may then each cut off one or two cells and this may be repeated; or the elongate first (or later) derivative may divide transversely (Figs 188F, 190B) into 2–4 small isodiametric cells, only one of which remains in pit-connection with the periaxial cell; thus a node 6–8 cells long is formed. A few outer cortical cells (Fig. 190D) may be cut off from the first periaxial cell derivatives in older plants, but they usually lie almost within the cortical layer. In some plants, the terminal cortical cells (especially acropetal) and sometimes other cortical cells become gland-like (Fig. 190D). Slender hairs are commonly produced from the cortical cells near apices, and in some plants few to many abaxial, elongate-clavate hairs (Fig. 190B) are also produced ( limbriate' forms). Rhodoplasts discoid in small cells, moniliform in larger cells.

Reproduction: Gametophytes dioecious. Carposporophytes globular, 200–350 µm across, with 3–6 slightly curved involucral branchlets, carposporangia angular-ovoid, 25–35 µm across. Spermatangia (Fig. 188G) covering the nodal cells of young branches.

Tetrasporangia (Fig. 188H) usually in whorls of (2–) 4–7, produced acropetally from the periaxial cells, with a prominent cupulate involucre largely covering the sporangia, formed by cell enlargement rather than further divisions of the acropetal cortical filaments; sporangia subspherical, 35–90 µm in diameter, decussately divided.

Type from Kilkee, Co. Clare, Ireland (Harvey); lectotype and isotype in L, 940,265...55; isotypes also in BM and TCD.

Selected specimens: 1 km E of Surf Point, Shark Bay, W. Aust., on Laurencia brongniartii, 2–3.5 m deep (Cambridge, 16.viii.1979; AD, A51757). Point Peron, W. Aust., upper sublittoral reef pools (Mitchell, 22.ix.1966; AD, A30748). Elliston, S. Aust., 0.5 m deep (Shepherd, 28.x.1972; AD, A42807). Tiparra Reef, S. Aust., 7 m deep (Shepherd, 11.i.1978; AD, A49381). Wanna, S. Aust., low eulittoral (Gordon, 15.v.1968; AD, A32633-"Marine Algae of southern Australia" No. 183a). Aldinga, S. Aust., on Hormosira banksii, low eulittoral (Womersley, 28.v.1972; AD, A42255). Muston, America R. inlet, Kangaroo I., S. Aust., on Heterozostera, 2–3 m deep (Kraft et al., 16.iv.1973; AD, A43757). Antechamber Bay, Kangaroo I., S. Aust., on Helminthocladia densa, upper sublittoral (Woelkerling, 20.xi.1967; AD, A32051-"Marine Algae of southern Australia" No. 183b). Cape Lannes, S. Aust., low eulittoral (Womersley, 15.v.1972; AD, A42392). Little Dip, S of Robe, S. Aust., mid eulittoral pools ( Womersley, 8.x.1972; AD, A42759). Warrnambool, Vic., low eulittoral ( Womersley, 14.x.1985; AD, A57025). Crawfish Rock, Westernport Bay, Vic., on Halophila ovalis, 2–5 m deep (Watson, 28.v.1974; AD, A45384). Arch Rock, Ninepin Point, Tas., 1–10 m deep (Andrews, 21.x.1994; AD, A63906). N.S.W. (see Millar & Kraft 1990, p. 421).


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

Distribution: Probably cosmopolitan in cold temperate to tropical seas. Along the whole southern Australian and Tasmanian coasts, extending north along western and eastern Australia. Common near low tide level and in wave-washed pools, on rock or epiphytic (especially on Haliptilon).

Taxonomic notes: C. flaccidum and its synonyms were discussed by Womersley (1978). It is a variable species in size and robustness, as well as in the presence of limbriate' hairs and gland cells. It is characterized by being relatively slender with alternate lateral branching, with the cells and internodal spaces relatively short above but elongating markedly below where few lateral branches remain; in living plants the short, pigmented nodes contrast with the long colourless internodes.

The most striking features however are the uniform formation of only one cell basipetally from each periaxial cell, compared to two cells acropetally, and the unicellular rhizoids and pads in contrast to the uniseriate-celled and multicellular pads of other southern Australian species. Further divisions of this single basipetal derivative do, however, vary considerably, even in the one plant. In slender species (of calm habitats), the single first derivative may cut off a second single elongate cell, and this even a third, remaining in this state. It is common however for the first single derivative to cut off (often from its corners) two cells, which then divide into one or commonly two more cells. Also, the first single elongate derivative commonly divides transversely, so that it appears that 2,3 or even 4 cells correspond basipetally to one periaxial cell. A consequence of continuing production of pairs of cells acropetally in the node, and a single basipetal cell at least initially, is that the acropetal part of the node commonly broadens compared to the slightly narrower basipetal part, and (especially in stained and mounted specimens where the cells contract slightly) the basipetal cortication becomes separated by a narrow 'line' or space from the periaxial cells and acropetal cortication; this is only occasionally visible in living specimens.

References:

AGARDH, C.A. (1824). Systema Algarum. (Berling: Lund.)

AGARDH, J.G. (1851). Species Genera et Ordines Algarum. Vol. 2, Part 1, I-XII, 1–336 + index. (Gleerup: Lund.)

AGARDH, J.G. (1876). Species Genera et Ordines Algarum. Vol. 3, Part 1- Epicrisis systematic Floridearum, pp. i-vii, 1–724. (Weigel: Leipzig.)

ARDISSONE, F. (1871). Revista dei Ceramii della flora italiana. Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. 3, 32–50.

CRIBB, A.B. (1983). Marine algae of the southern Great Barrier Reef-Part 1. Rhodophyta. Aust. Coral Reef Soc.Handbook No. 2.

GUILER, E.R. (1952). The marine algae of Tasmania. Checklist with localities. Pap. Proc. R. Soc. Tasmania 86, 71–106.

HARVEY, W.H. (1848). Phycologia Britannica, Plates 145–216. (Reeve: London.)

HARVEY, W.H. (1855a). Some account of the marine botany of the colony of Western Australia. Trans. R. Jr. Acad. 22, 525–566.

HARVEY, W.H. (1859b). Algae. In Hooker, J.D., The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage. III. Flora Tasmaniae. Vol. II, pp. 282–343, Plates 185–196. (Reeve: London.)

HARVEY, W.H. (1863). Phycologia Australica. Vol. 5, Plates 241–300, synop., pp. i-lxxiii. (Reeve: London.)

HUISMAN, J.M. & WALKER, D.I. (1990). A catalogue of the marine plants of Rottnest Island, Western Australia, with notes on their distribution and biogeography. Kingia 1, 349–459.

HUISMAN, J.M. (1997). Marine Benthic Algae of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia. In Wells, F.E. (Ed.) The Marine Flora and Fauna of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia, pp. 177–237. (W. Aust. Museum: Perth.)

HUISMAN, J.M., KENDRICK, G.A., WALKER, D.I. & COUTÉ, A. (1990). The Marine Algae of Shark Bay, Western Australia. Research in Shark Bay. Report of the France-Australe Bicentenary Expedition Committee, pp. 89–100.

KÜTZING, F.T. (1841). Ueber Ceramium Ag. Linnaea 15, 727–746.

KÜTZING, F.T. (1862). Tabulae Phycologicae. Vol 12. (Nordhausen.)

KENDRICK, G.A., HUISMAN, J.M. & WALKER, D.I. (1990). Benthic macroalgae of Shark Bay, Western Australia. Bot. Mar 33, 47–54.

LUCAS, A.H.S. & PERRIN, F. (1947). The Seaweeds of South Australia. Part 2. The Red Seaweeds. (Govt Printer: Adelaide.)

LUCAS, A.H.S. (1909). Revised list of the Fucoideae and Florideae of Australia. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. 34, 9–60.

LUCAS, A.H.S. (1929a). The marine algae of Tasmania. Pap. Proc. R. Soc. Tasm. 1928, 6–27.

LUCAS, A.H.S. (1929b). A census of the marine algae of South Australia. Trans. R. Soc. S. Aust. 53, 45–53.

MILLAR, A.J.K. & KRAFT, G.T. (1993). Catalogue of marine and freshwater Red Algae (Rhodophyta) of New South Wales, including Lord Howe Island, South-western Pacific. Aust. Syst. Bot. 6, 1–90.

MILLAR, A.J.K. (1990). Marine red algae of the Coffs Harbour region, northern New South Wales. Aust. Syst. Bot. 3, 293–593.

NAKAMURA, Y. (1965). Species of the genera Geranium and Camphylaephora, especially those of northern Japan. Sc. Pap. Inst. Alg. Res. Univ. Hokkaido. 5(2), 119–180, Plates 1–14.

PRICE, I.R. & SCOTT, F.J. (1992). The turf algal flora of the Great Barrier Reef. Part 1. Rhodophyta. (James Cook University: Townsville.)

REINBOLD, T. (1898). Die Algen der Lacepede und Guichen Bay (Slid Australien) und deren näherer Umgebung, gesammelt von Dr. A. Engelhart-Kingston. II. Nuova Notarisia 9, 33–54.

SILVA, P.C., BASSON, P.W. & MOE, R.L. (1996). Catalogue of the Benthic Marine Algae of the Indian Ocean. (University of California Press: Berkeley, Los Angeles & London.)

SONDER, O.W. (1881). In Mueller, F., Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. Supplementum ad volumen undecinum: Algae Australianae hactenus cognitae, pp. 1–42, 105–107. (Melbourne.)

TISDALL, H.T. (1898). The algae of Victoria. Rep. 7th Meet. Aust. Ass. Adv. Sci., Sydney, 1898, pp. 493–516.

WILSON, J.B. (1892). Catalogue of algae collected at or near Port Phillip Heads and Western Port. Proc. R. Soc. Vict. 4, 157–190.

WOMERSLEY, H.B.S. (1950). The marine algae of Kangaroo Island. III. List of Species 1. Trans. R. Soc. S. Aust. 73, 137–197.

WOMERSLEY, H.B.S. (1978). Southern Australian species of Ceramium Roth (Rhodophyta). Aust. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 29, 205–257.

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

Author: H.B.S. Womersley

Publication: Womersley, H.B.S. (24 December, 1998)
The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia
Rhodophyta. Part IIIC. Ceramiales – Ceramiaceae, Dasyaceae
©State Herbarium of South Australia, Government of South Australia


Illustrations in Womersley Part IIIA, 1998: FIGS 188 E–H, 190 A–D.

Figure 188 image

Figure 188   enlarge

Fig. 188. A–D. Ceramium macilentum (A, AD, A43755; B–D, AD, A41256). A. Habit. B. Branch showing acropetal (only) cortical cell development from periaxial and pseudoperiaxial cells. C. Carposporophyte with involucral branchlets. D. Branches with unilateral and opposite tetrasporangia. E–H. Ceramium flaccidum (AD, A42392). E. Habit. F. Nodal cortication showing the single basipetal derivative (transversely divided in lower node) from the periaxial cells. G. Branches with spermatangia. H. Branches with whorled, largely involucrate, tetrasporangia. (All as in Womersley 1978, courtesy of Aust. J. Mar. Freshw. Res.)

Figure 190 image

Figure 190   enlarge

Fig. 190. A–D. Ceramium flaccidum (A, B, AD, A43757; C, D, AD, A42759). A. Nodes of a young branch with single basipetal periaxial derivatives. B. Older nodes with most basipetal derivatives divided; a single clavate hair present. C. Node of more robust form showing cortical lineages and one acropetal gland cell. D. Node on older branch with slight outer cortex and several gland cells. E, F. Ceramium filiculum (AD, A32635). E. Node of young branch. F. Node of older mature branch. G, H. Ceramium cliftonianum (G, AD, A30860; H, AD, A34110). G. Cortex of node of robust plant, with regular basipetal cells. H. Nodal cortex of slender plant with 2 basipetal cells. (All as in Womersley 1978, courtesy of Aust. J. Mar. Freshw. Res.)


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