Electronic Flora of South Australia Species Fact Sheet

Caulerpa papillosa J. Agardh.

Phylum Chlorophyta – Order Caulerpales – Family Caulerpaceae

Selected citations: Lucas 1936: 48. Weber van Bosse 1898: 383, pl. 34 fig. 8. Womersley 1956: 368.

Stolon slender to moderate, 0.7–2 mm in diameter, naked, epilithic. Erect fronds (Fig. 91C) medium to dark green, with simple or branched axes, usually 4–16 cm high and 2–4 (–5) mm across, with axes 1–1.5 mm in diameter densely covered to their bases by vesiculate ramuli. Ramuli (Fig. 92E) 0.7–1.5 mm long, with a lower, sub-terete pedicel 300–800 µm long and 200–300 in diameter, then constricted and bearing a subspherical to ovoid-pyriform upper part (250–) 350–500 (–700) µm in diameter.

Lectotype from Queenscliff, Vic. (F. Mueller); in Herb. Agardh, LD, 16849.

Selected specimens: Goose 1. bay, Middle I., Recherche Arch., W. Aust., low eulittoral (Trudgen, Nov. 1974; ADU, A51668). St Francis I., Isles of St Francis, S. Aust., 2 m deep (Shepherd, 9.i.1971; ADU, A38119). Elliston, S. Aust., in deep pools ( Woelkerling, 16.v.1968; ADU, A32489-"Marine Algae of southern Australia" No. 9). Robe, S. Aust., 6 m deep (114nchell, 25.v.1963; ADU, A26451). Walkerville, Vic., at low tide level on bluff (Sinkora A1513, 21.ii.1972; ADU, A42282). Currie R. mouth, Tas., low eulittoral ( Womersley, 28.i.1949; ADU, A10332).

Distribution map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of SA

Distribution: From Middle I., Recherche Archipelago, W. Aust., to Walkerville, Vic. and northern Tasmania, in shaded rock pools and the uppermost sublittoral on rough-water coasts, recorded to 12 m deep.

Taxonomic notes: The small, densely packed ramuli, each constricted half way or more along its length, distinguish this species.

References:

LUCAS, A.H.S. (1936). The Seaweeds of South Australia. Pt. I. Introduction and the Green and Brown Seaweeds. (Govt Printer: Adelaide.)

WEBER van BOSSE, A. (1898). Monographie des Caulerpes. Ann. Jardin Bot. Buitenzorg 15, 243–401, Plates 20–34.

WOMERSLEY, H.B.S. (1956). A critical survey of the marine algae of southern Australia. I. Chlorophyta. Aust. J. mar. freshw. Res. 7, 343–383.

The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia Part I complete list of references.

Author: H.B.S. Womersley

Publication: Womersley, H.B.S. (31 May, 1984)
The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia
Part I
©Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, Government of South Australia

Illustrations in Womersley Part I, 1984: FIGS 91C, 92E.

Figure 91   enlarge

Fig. 91. A. Caulerpa cactoides (ADU, A43586). B. Caulerpa racemosa var. laetevirens f. cylindracea (ADU. A50562). C. Caulerpa papillosa (ADV. A26451). D. Caulerpa vesiculifera (ADV. A32487). E. Caulerpa simpliciuscula (ADU, A32488).

Figure 92   enlarge

Fig. 92. A. Caulerpa geminata, ramuli on axis (ADU, A50951). B. Caulerpa annulata, ramuli on axis (ADU, A48232). C. Caulerpa cactoides, lower axis with ramuli, on stolon (ADU, A43586). D. Caulerpa racemosa var. laetevirens f. cylindracea, ramuli (ADU, A50562). E. Caulerpa papillosa, cross section of axis with ramuli (ADU, A26451). F. Caulerpa vesiculifera, cross section of axis with ramuli (ADU, A32487). G. Caulerpa simpliciuscula cross section of axis with ramuli (ADU, A32488).

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