Phyllospadix torreyi / P. scouleri Silvetia compressa / S. deliquescens
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Pelvetiopsis limitata Gardn. |
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General Description (from Abott and Hollenberg 1976 and Kendall et al. 2002): |
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Light tan to olive; shorter basal stipe than Silvetia; densely branched, cylindrical at the base becoming flattened to cylindrical in the upper fronds; dichotomous; branches tend to arch inward; typically found at higher tidal levels than Silvetia; thalli 4-8 cm tall |
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Habitat and Range (from Abbott and Hollenberg 1976): |
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Infrequent, on tops of rocks, rarely on sides; upper intertidal, frequents more wave-exposed sites; Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to Cambria (San Luis Obispo County), CA |
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Pelvetiopsis limitata growing above tide pool |
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Biology: |
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Pelvetiopsis is most closely related to Hesperophycus (Serrão et al. 1999), with both genera producing one large egg per oogonium. Two species of Pelvetiopsis occur in California, P. limitata and P. arborescens. The former species more closely resembles a dwarf Fucus, whereas the latter is similar in appearance to a small Pelvetia due to its more cylindrical branches (Abott and Hollenberg 1976). Pelvetiopsis is not known to occur south of Point Conception. In central California, Pelvetiopsis can co-occur with Silvetia compressa although Pelvetiopsis is generally found at higher tidal elevations. When identification is in doubt, specimens can be examined microscopically to determine the number of eggs per oogonium. Pelvetiopsis has only one egg while Silvetia has two and Fucus eight per oogonium. Little scientific attention has been given to Pelvetiopsis so little is known about its reproductive periodicity, longevity, or ecology. |
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Pelvetiopsis limitata growing on boulder substrate |
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Can be confused with: Fucus gardneri, Hesperophycus californicus, and Silvetia compressa. Fucus and Hesperophycus generally have wider fronds with midribs, whereas Silvetia and Pelvetiopsis have narrower fronds that lack a midrib. Pelvetiopsis develops tiny pits (cryptostomata) with white hairs but these are inconspicuous (Abbott and Hollenberg 1976). |
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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 Serrão EA, Alice LA, Brawley SH (1999) Evolution of the Fucaceae (Phaeophyceae) inferred from nrDNA-ITS. J Phycol 35: 382-394
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Updated: 12/9/2004 |
