| Dictyota implexa | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
| Clade: | SAR |
| Clade: | Stramenopiles |
| Phylum: | Gyrista |
| Subphylum: | Ochrophytina |
| Class: | Phaeophyceae |
| Order: | Dictyotales |
| Family: | Dictyotaceae |
| Genus: | Dictyota |
| Species: | D. implexa |
| Binomial name | |
| Dictyota implexa (Desfontaines) J.V.Lamouroux [1] | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Dictyota implexa is a species of brown alga found in the temperate eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
The thallus of Dictyota implexa is quite variable in appearance and is a yellowish-brown colour. It forms membranous, flattened, dichotomously-branching fronds up to 14 cm (5.5 in) long. These are anchored to the seabed by rhizoids, filamentous outgrowths that can absorb nutrients from their surroundings. The thallus branches are thread-like, only about 1 mm (0.04 in) thick, of uniform cross-section along their entire length. [2] Other seaweeds with which it could be confused include Dictyota dichotoma , Dictyota cyanoloma , Dictyota fasciola , Dictyota mediterranea , and Dictyota spiralis ; D dichotoma is larger and more ribbon-like; D. cyanoloma is larger and iridescent, with a spiral growth form; D. fasciola is also spiral, but not iridescent; D. mediterranea has thread-like cylindrical branches but is more robust; and D. spiralis is more ribbon-like and is sparsely branched. [2]
Dictyota implexa is native to the Mediterranean Sea and the adjacent temperate parts of the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It grows either on rocks, or epiphytically on the leaf blades of seagrasses such as Posidonia oceanica or on the thalli of larger seaweeds, at depths down to about 15 m (50 ft). [2]
This species needs to grow in a well-lit situation as it uses the chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments in its tissues to convert light energy into chemical energy by photosynthesis. It is dioecious, reproduction taking place in the spring and summer. Each plant has a sporophyte phase followed by the production of either male or female gametophytes, in alternating generations. It can also reproduce asexually by fragmentation when pieces of the thallus break off and become established in new locations. [2]
Brown algae contain secondary metabolites which discourage herbivores from feeding on them, and many of these, including extracts from the widespread genus Dictyota have antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. [3] Dictyota dichotoma, and Dictyota dichotoma var. implexa, have been investigated in this respect, and have been shown to have antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium , Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus . [4]
Fucus is a genus of brown algae found in the intertidal zones of rocky seashores almost throughout the world.
Caulerpa is a genus of seaweeds in the family Caulerpaceae. They are unusual because they consist of only one cell with many nuclei, making them among the biggest single cells in the world.
Halimeda is a genus of green macroalgae. The algal body (thallus) is composed of calcified green segments. Calcium carbonate is deposited in its tissues, making it inedible to most herbivores. However one species, Halimeda tuna, was described as pleasant to eat with oil, vinegar, and salt.
Fucus spiralis is a species of seaweed, a brown alga, living on the littoral shore of the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. It has the common names of spiral wrack and flat wrack.
Dictyotales is a large order in the brown algae containing the single family Dictyotaceae. Members of this order generally prefer warmer waters than other brown algae, and are prevalent in tropical and subtropical waters thanks to their many chemical defenses to ward off grazers. They display an isomorphic haplodiploid life cycle and are characterized by vegetative growth through a single apical cell. One genus in this order, Padina, is the only calcareous member of the brown algae.
Bryopsis, often referred to a hair algae, is a genus of marine green algae in the family Bryopsidaceae. Species in the genus are macroscopic, siphonous marine green algae that are made up of units of single tubular filaments. They can form dense tufts up to 40 cm in height. Each cell is made of up an erect thallus that is often branched into pinnules. Approximately 60 species have been identified in this genus since its initial discovery in 1809. The ecological success of Bryopsis has also been attributed to its associations with endophytic bacteria that reside in the cytoplasm of their cells.
Turbinaria is a genus of brown algae (Phaeophyceae) found primarily in tropical marine waters. It generally grows on rocky substrates. In tropical Turbinaria species that are often preferentially consumed by herbivorous fishes and echinoids, there is a relatively low level of phenolics and tannins.
Halimeda tuna is a species of calcareous green seaweed in the order Bryopsidales. It is found on reefs in the Atlantic Ocean, the Indo-Pacific region and the Mediterranean Sea. Halimeda tuna is the type species of the genus Halimeda and the type locality is the Mediterranean Sea. The specific name "tuna" comes from the Taíno language, meaning "cactus" and referring to the resemblance of the thallus to the growth form of an Opuntia cactus.
Amphiroa is a genus of thalloid red algae under the family Corallinaceae.
Acetabularia caliculus, the umbrella alga, is a species of green alga found in shallow temperate and tropical seas. It usually grows on pebbles, shells or pieces of rock, and is often found in seagrass meadows, on mudflats and coral reefs, in estuaries and growing on the submerged roots of mangroves. Each individual thallus consists of a single cell with a long stipe and a terminal cup-shaped or flattened disc.
Lobophora is a genus of thalloid brown seaweed of the Phylum Ochrophyta; Class Phaeophyceae.
Lobophora variegata is a species of small thalloid brown alga which grows intertidally or in shallow water in tropical and warm temperate seas. It has three basic forms, being sometimes ruffled, sometimes reclining and sometimes encrusting, and each form is typically found in a different habitat. This seaweed occurs worldwide. It is the type species of the genus Lobophora, the type locality being the Antilles in the West Indies.
Dictyota is a genus of brown seaweed in the family Dictyotaceae. Species are predominantly found in tropical and subtropical seas, and are known to contain numerous chemicals (diterpenes) which have potential medicinal value. As at the end of 2017, some 237 different diterpenes had been identified from across the genus.
Dictyota bartayresiana, commonly known as a forded sea tumbleweed, is a species of brown alga found in the tropical western Indo-Pacific region and the Gulf of Mexico. It contains chemicals that are being researched for possible use as antimicrobials, as larvicides and as cytotoxins.
Udotea flabellum is a species of photosynthetic macroalgae. It is commonly found in shallow waters around Florida and Belize in sandy areas, sea grass beds, and coral reefs. It is known for its antimicrobial properties and is also being used in cancer treatment studies.
Dictyota dichotoma is a species of Brown algae found in the temperate western and eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean.
Dictyota spiralis is a species of brown alga found in the temperate eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Dictyota sandvicensis also called limu 'Alani in Hawaiian, is a species of brown seaweed in the family Dictyotaceae endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
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