Saccharina latissima

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Saccharina latissima
Saccharina latissima 2.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Clade: SAR
Phylum: Ochrophyta
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Laminariales
Family: Laminariaceae
Genus: Saccharina
Species:
S. latissima
Binomial name
Saccharina latissima
(L.) C.E. Lane, C. Mayes, Druehl, et G. W. Saunders [1]
Synonyms
  • Fucus saccharinus L.
  • Laminaria saccharina (L.) Lamouroux

Saccharina latissima is a brown alga (class Phaeophyceae), of the family Laminariaceae. It is known by the common name sugar kelp,[2] and also sea belt [3] and Devil's apron, due to its shape.[4] It is found in the north east Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean[5] and the Barents Sea south to Galicia in Spain. It is not found in the Bay of Biscay but is common round the coasts of the British Isles.[6] The species is found at sheltered rocky seabeds.[2]

  • Alga Toco Saccharina latissima.jpg

  • Saccharina latissima on a beach.

  • Saccharina lattissima from Avacha Bay

Description[]

Saccharina latissima is a yellowish brown colour with a long narrow, undivided blade that can grow to 5 metres (16 ft) long and 20 centimetres (7.9 in) wide. The central band is dimpled while the margins are smoother with a wavy edge. The frond is attached to the rock by stout rhizoids about 5 mm in diameter[3] in the intertidal and sublittoral zones by a claw-like holdfast and a short, pliable, cylindrical stipe.[6]

Ecology[]

Saccharina latissima is an ecologically important system. It is a primary producer, delivering plant material to the coastal food web. The three-dimensional forests also serve as a habitat for animals, resulting in a high biodiversity. Fish, shellfish and other animals find food and hiding places within these forests.[7]

It is a known host to the pathogenic fungus Phycomelaina laminariae.[8]

Threats[]

In 2004, scientists reported a loss in sugar kelp of up to 80% at Skagerrak and 40% at the West coast of Norway.[9][10][11] The reasons for this loss are not fully understood, but the increase in ocean temperature, high levels of nutrients and the reduction in animal species feeding off the filamentous algae are suggested as the most likely reasons.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ Lane, C.E.; C. Mayes; L.D. Druehl; G.W. Saunders (2006). "A multi-gene molecular investigation of the kelp (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) supports substantial taxonomic re-organization". Journal of Phycology. 42 (2): 493–512. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8817.2006.00204.x.
  2. ^ a b Bekkby, T., Moy, F. 2011. Developing spatial models of sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) potential distribution modelling of the kelp species Laminaria hyperborea. ICES Journal of Marine Science 66: 2106–2115.
  3. ^ a b Dickinson, C.I. 1963. British Seaweeds. The Kew Series
  4. ^ "Devil's Apron". Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary. C. & G. Merriam Co. 1913.
  5. ^ "Sugar kelp • Saccharina latissima". Biodiversity of the Central Coast. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  6. ^ a b Saccharina latissima (Linnaeus) J.V. Lamouroux The Seaweed Site. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  7. ^ Christie H, Norderhaug KM, Fredriksen S. 2009. Macrophytes as habitat for fauna. Marine Ecology Progress Series 396: 221-233
  8. ^ Helgi Hallgrímsson & Guðríður Gyða Eyjólfsdóttir (2004). Íslenskt sveppatal I - smásveppir [Checklist of Icelandic Fungi I - Microfungi. Fjölrit Náttúrufræðistofnunar. Náttúrufræðistofnun Íslands [Icelandic Institute of Natural History]. ISSN 1027-832X
  9. ^ Rinde E, Christie H. 1992. A survey of rocky bottom communities in the coastal area of Telemark. NINA Oppdragsmelding 133: 1-23.
  10. ^ Moy, F., Christie, H. 2012. Large-scale shift from sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) to ephemeral algae along the south and west coast of Norway. Marine Biology Research 8: 309-321
  11. ^ Bekkby, T., Moy, F. 2011. Developing spatial models of sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) potential distribution modelling of the kelp species Laminaria hyperborea. ICES Journal of Marine Science 66: 2106–2115
  12. ^ Moy, F., Stålnacke, P., 2007. Sugar Kelp Project: Analyses of Climate and Environmental Data with Relevance for Sugar Kelp, SFT Report TA-2279/2007, NIVA Report 5454, 210 pp.
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