Caulerpa J.V.Lamouroux, 1809
Lectotype species: Caulerpa prolifera (Forsskål) J.V.Lamouroux
Original publication: Lamouroux, J.V.F. (1809). Observations sur la physiologie des algues marines, et description de cinq nouveaux genres de cette famille. Nouveau Bulletin des Sciences, par la Société Philomathique de Paris 1: 330-333, fig. 2, pl. 6.
Request PDFType designated in: Egerod, L.E. (1952). An analysis of the siphonous Chlorophycophyta with special reference to the Siphonocladales, Siphonales and Dasycladales of Hawaii. University of California Publications in Botany 25: (i)-iv + 325-453, 23 figs, Plates 29-42.
Description: Thallus composed of horizontal stolon anchored by colorless rhizoids, bearing erect photosynthetic fronds (assimilators) of extremely diverse morphology including thread-like, blade-like, pinnate, spongy and vesicular structures. Radial branching regarded as primitive, bilateral as more recent, interpretations which are supported by ultrastructure of chloroplasts. Reduction of light also results in change of erect portions from radial to bilateral symmetry. In species such as C. racemosa and C. cupressoides morphology has been shown to vary with habitat, resulting in description of numerous varieties or forms (or even species) which probably should be regarded as ecads. Growth apical and indeterminate. Extent of development of stolons and rhizoids depends on substratum; stolons can reach to 12 m.m-2, but generally are more ramified in epilithic specimens; entire alga can reach to 1m. in length. Thallus composed of coenocytic filaments or siphons; walls principally of -1,3 xylan, with numerous trabeculae (branching cylindrical ingrowths of the wall) traversing the lumen. When wounded, as by grazing fish, blade or rhizome exude a yellowish sticky mass which hardens to a wound plug of carbohydrate in a few minutes. Genus heteroplastic. Large chloroplasts with pyrenoid and starch grains seem to be more primitive, being replaced by small chloroplasts lacking them. Amyloplasts mixed with chloroplasts. Isolated chloroplasts survive and divide in vitro for more than 2 weeks. Reproduction probably primarily by fragmentation of stolon. Holocarpic anisogamous sexual reproduction described for some species. Meiosis, where examined, occurs at gametogenesis with formation of gametes in unmodified areas of the thallus, without separation by cross walls; gametes liberated in gelatinous extrusions through superficial papillae. C. okamurai is monoecious, with both sexes separated throughout thallus, whereas C. prolifera is dioecious. Some species of Caulerpa produce the poison caulerpicin, making their use as a food resource hazardous.
Information contributed by: E. Coppejans. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2020-11-27 by M.D. Guiry.
Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.
Gender: This genus name is currently treated as feminine.
Comments: Geographic distribution is global tropical to subtropical, with some species extending into the Mediterranean Sea and temperate regions of Australia. Highest species diversity occurs in S. Australia. Vertical range includes the intertidal to at least -50m; substrata include unconsolidated sand of seagrass meadows and hard surfaces such as coral rock.
Verification of Data
Users are responsible for verifying the accuracy of information before use, as noted on the website Content page.
Contributors
Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera,
organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA)
and intended to be published in CD format.
These AlgaeBase descriptions are now being continually updated, and each current contributor is identified above.
The PSA and AlgaeBase warmly acknowledge the generosity of all past and present contributors and particularly the work of Dr Parker.
Descriptions of chrysophyte genera were subsequently published in J. Kristiansen & H.R. Preisig (eds.). 2001. Encyclopedia of Chrysophyte Genera. Bibliotheca Phycologica 110: 1-260.
Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=32944
Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 27 November 2020. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 21 November 2024
