| Udotea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Udotea flabellum (mermaid's fan alga), San Salvador Island, Bahamas | |
Scientific classification  | |
| (unranked): | Viridiplantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Ulvophyceae |
| Order: | Bryopsidales |
| Family: | Udoteaceae |
| Genus: | Udotea J.V. Lamouroux, 1812 |
| Type species | |
| Udotea flabellata | |
| Species [1] | |
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Udotea is a genus of green algae in the family Udoteaceae. [1]
Udoteaceae are generally described based on vegetative characters of fully-developed thalli [2] . Most species of Udotea tend to have blades that are single or multiple layers with branching siphons attaching to adjacent siphons. In some species, a characteristic similar to Udoteacean genera are observed such as small protuberances or attachments on the sides of the blades. [3]
An issue on monophyly may arise among Udotean species as some exhibit similar blade characteristics of other genera such as Flabellia and Halimeda. In some, blades lacking cortex, appearing as a brush may resemble Rhipocephalus, Rhipidosiphon, Rhipiliopsis, or Tydemania. [2]
The Udoteaceae (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) consists of multinucleated green macroalgae found in tropical regions. Udotea is described to have an erect thalli that is coenocytic with three main parts: an uncalcified rhizoid that serves as an anchor to different substrates (e.g. rock, sand, mud); an uncalcified upright stalk with a cortex, also known as its stipe; and a fan-shaped calcified thalli. [2] Stalks are composed of siphons positioned lengthwise, with appendages located near the sides forming a cortex. Lateral appendages are siphons located on the blade, which are either simple or complex in nature. [4]
Siphon morphology typically relies on the thallus location and Udotea life-history stage. Mature thalli are often characterized to have simple to complex filaments that are siphonaceous. [4]
Siphonous green macroalgae belonging to Bryopsidales are widely distributed in most tropical regions. In the Western Atlantic Ocean, 21 Udotea species were noted by Littler & Littler in 1990. [3] In 2017, Wynne subsequently identified 23 infrageneric taxa in the Western Atlantic, both in tropical and subtropical regions. [5] Udotea species are commonly found near the shore in tropical regions inhabiting seagrass areas up to 50 m in depth and grows from 8 – 20 cm in length. [6]
Udotea have rhizoids serving as an anchor in attaching to substrate, mostly in the sediment while previous studies have also shown that Udotea are also involved in the formation of seagrasses. [3] [4] Upon its death, the sediment benefits through its calcified thalli, producing sand, organic compounds, contributing to reef building and improving the sediment as it decomposes. [4] [7]
Apart from being primary producers, Udotea can be found co-inhabit with other marine macroalga from Udoteaceae wherein their presence are useful in seeking refuge, providing food, and calcium carbonate. [7]
Fertile thalli can easily be distinguished within the genera, especially among species with specialized gametangia, but most are identified through thalli color changes (e.g. U. flabellum). Male plants turn green while females are grey in thallus color. Udotea thalli often remain in the marine environment longer than other genera after reproduction, sometimes with its blade intact, for months (e.g. U. flabellum). [8]
Gametangia is located in the terminal blade in Udotea. For U. flabellum, the release of its gametes is quick and noticeable. Both plant sexes are described to have biflagellated gametes, macro and micro similar to Halimeda and Caulerpa. Other species of Udotea produce gametes that are sphere-shaped, resembling the gametes of Penicillus and Rhipocephalus. [8]
Currently, Udotea is not being cultivated for aquaculture research.
Some of the extracts isolated from Udotea are Mannose and Glucose, identified as biocompounds that are SP-rich. [9] In a recent study, anti-coagulant sulfated polysaccharide-rich extracts were extracted from Udotea flabellum, specifically, sulfated homogalactans, F-I and F-II. [10] Anticoagulant and anti-proliferative properties of these compounds were found to be potent in the species, which may have the potential for future research pertaining on its effects.
Various species of Udotea have been found to produce numerous bioactive compounds, specifically diterpenesm including udoteal which functions as a deterrent against an herbivorous fish Eupomacentrus leucostictus and udoteal B which has an antibiotic activity, limiting cell division on sea urchin egg upon fertilization and exhibits harmful effects on damselfish. In addition, lectins petiodial, and udoteafuran have been isolated in some species, which have several biological properties causing toxicity in some fish, as deterrent, and antimicrobial, antiviral, anticoagulant and antitumor potential. [6]
Acetabularia is a genus of green algae in the family Polyphysaceae. Typically found in subtropical waters, Acetabularia is a single-celled organism, but gigantic in size and complex in form, making it an excellent model organism for studying cell biology. In form, the mature Acetabularia resembles the round leaves of a nasturtium, is 4 to 10 centimetres tall and has three anatomical parts: a bottom rhizoid that resembles a set of short roots; a long stalk in the middle; and a top umbrella of branches that may fuse into a cap. Unlike other giant unicellular organisms, which are multinucleate, members of this genus a single nucleus located in the rhizoid and allows the cell to regenerate completely if its cap is removed. The caps of two Acetabularia may also be exchanged, even from two different species. In addition, if a piece of the stem is removed, with no access to the nucleus in the rhizoid, this isolated stem piece will also grow a new cap.
Caulerpa racemosa is a species of edible green alga, a seaweed in the family Caulerpaceae. It is commonly known as sea grapes and is found in many areas of shallow sea around the world. Despite the name, it is not related to grapes. There are a number of different forms and varieties, and one that appeared in the Mediterranean Sea in 1990, which is giving cause for concern as an invasive species.
The dikaryon is a nuclear feature that is unique to certain fungi. Compatible cell-types can fuse cytoplasms (plasmogamy). When this occurs, the two nuclei of two cells pair off and cohabit without fusing (karyogamy). This can be maintained for all the cells of the hyphae by synchronously dividing so that pairs are passed to newer cells. In the Ascomycota this attribute is most often found in the ascogenous hyphae and ascocarp while the bulk of the mycelium remains monokaryotic. In the Basidiomycota this is the dominant phase, with most Basidiomycota monokaryons weakly growing and short-lived.
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.
Codium is a genus of edible green macroalgae under the order Bryopsidales. The genus name is derived from a Greek word that pertains to the soft texture of its thallus. One of the foremost experts on Codium taxonomy was Paul Claude Silva at the University of California, Berkeley. P.C. Silva was able to describe 36 species for the genus and in honor of his work on Codium, the species C. silvae was named after the late professor.
In botany, a zoid or zoïd is a reproductive cell that possesses one or more flagella, and is capable of independent movement. Zoid can refer to either an asexually reproductive spore or a sexually reproductive gamete. In sexually reproductive gametes, zoids can be either male or female depending on the species. For example, some brown alga (Phaeophyceae) reproduce by producing multi-flagellated male and female gametes that recombine to form the diploid sporangia. Zoids are primarily found in some protists, diatoms, green alga, brown alga, non-vascular plants, and a few vascular plants. The most common classification group that produces zoids is the heterokonts or stramenopiles. These include green alga, brown alga, oomycetes, and some protists. The term is generally not used to describe motile, flagellated sperm found in animals. Zoid is also commonly confused for zooid which is a single organism that is part of a colonial animal.
Udoteaceae is a family of green algae, in the order Bryopsidales.
Bryopsis is a genus of marine green algae in the family Bryopsidaceae. It is frequently a pest in aquariums, where it is commonly referred to as hair algae.
Rhipiliopsis is a genus of green algae in the family Rhipiliaceae. Johnson-sea-linkia is a synonym.
Struvea is a genus of green macroalgae in the family Boodleaceae.
Trebouxia is a unicellular green alga. It is a photosynthetic organism that can exist in almost all habitats found in polar, tropical, and temperate regions. It can either exist in a symbiotic relationship with fungi in the form of lichen or it can survive independently as a free-living organism alone or in colonies. Trebouxia is the most common photobiont in extant lichens. It is a primary producer of marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. It uses carotenoids and chlorophyll a and b to harvest energy from the sun and provide nutrients to various animals and insects.
Penicillus capitatus is a species of macroalgae, seaweed, that is part of the Udoteaceae, a larger family of algae. The P. Capitatus is a member of green macroalgae, Chlorophyta, so they share some similarities to their terrestrial counterparts. Due to their distinct shape, the Penicillus genus can be referred to as Brush Seaweed, Shaving Brush, or the Mermaid's Shaving Brush.
Pediastrum duplex is a species of fresh water green algae in the genus Pediastrum.
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.
Picochlorum oklahomense is a species of coccoid chlorophyte algae, the type species of its genus. It is broadly halotolerant, small, asexual and lacks chlorophyll b. The author of the name spelt the specific epithet "oklahomensis". AlgaeBase corrects this to the neuter form oklahomense, to agree with the genus name.
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.
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.
Ivanovia is an extinct genus of marine green algae belonging to the order Bryopsidales and family Codiaceae. Species belonging to the genus lived from the Pennsylvanian to the Permian and have been found in the Moscow basin, North America, Italy, Tunisia, and China.
Titanophora is a genus of seaweeds belonging to family Schizymeniaceae of the order Nemastomatales.
| Authority control databases: National |
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