Phyllospadix torreyi / P. scouleri Silvetia compressa / S. deliquescens
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Endocladia muricata (Post. & Rupr.) J. Ag. (Previously known as Gigartina muricata) |
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General Description (from Abbott and Hollenberg 1976 and Kendall et al. 2002): |
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Thalli densely bushy, 4-8 cm tall; dark red to blackish brown tufts; cylindrical throughout, covered with small spines |
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Endocladia muricata |
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Habitat and Range (from Abbott and Hollenberg 1976): |
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Locally abundant on tops or vertical faces of rocks; high to midtidal; Alaska to Punta Santo Tomas, Baja California, including Channel Islands; one of the most common algae in central California in the upper intertidal; in southern California, sometimes forming low, tight turf with Gelidium spp. |
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Endocladia tufts |
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Biology: |
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| Endocladia is common north of Point Conception, forming dark bands along the upper shoreline. South of Point Conception, it is less common. Endocladia provides habitat for many small organisms, including mussels (Raimondi et al. 1999). Although it may compete with mussels for space, it also can create layered habitat when it grows on mussels (Raimondi et al. 1999). Endocladia is resistant to desiccation, evidenced by it high tidal height, but also susceptible to oiling because of its tidal height (Raimondi et al. 1999). Recovery from disturbance may take from 1 to 6 years (Kinnetics 1992). | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Endocladia tips |
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Can be confused with: Gelidium pusillum and Caulacanthus ustulatus. Gelidium lacks spines on its branches and has more spatulate tips. Caulacanthus is more red, finer, and not as rough to the touch. |
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Caulacanthus ustulatus |
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References: |
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Abbott IA and Hollenberg GJ (1976) Marine algae of California. Stanford Univ Press, Stanford, CA Kendall A, Kusic K, Maloney E, Williams M (2002) List of species to be discussed at the 2002 MMS Taxonomic Workshop Kinnetics Laboratories, Inc. (1992) Study of the rocky intertidal communities of Central and Northern California. Report to the Minerals Management Service. OCS Study MMS 91-0089 Raimondi PT, Ambrose RF, Engle JM, Murray SN, Wilson M (1999) Monitoring of rocky intertidal resources along the central and southern California mainland. 3-Year Report for San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Orange Counties (Fall 1995-Spring 1998). OCS Study, MMS 99-0032, U.S. Minerals Management Service, Pacific OCS Region |
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Updated: 12/9/2004 |
