Benthic/Invertebrate Training

Algae Swath

Johnson

Macrocystis pyrifera

Macrocystis pyrifera

• Count all plants larger than 1 meter high

• When counting stipes of Macrocystis plants, begin counting at 1 meter above bottom (usually waist high if standing)

Nereocystis luetkeana

Efird

Nereocystis luetkeana

• Must be at or above 30 cm in height to count

• Long spindly stipe ending with large pneumatocyst at the top of water

Cystoseira osmundacea

>6cm

Efird

Efird

Cystoseira osmundacea

• Become reproductive with long chain bladders during summer season

• Must be at least 6 cm in diameter to be counted

• In order to get a proper count, it is necessary to grab each plant and find its base to distinguish an individual from a group of plants

Pterygophera californicaEfird

Photo from Gotshall

Pterygophera californica

• Has very sturdy woody stipe

• Frond contains long, wide midrib with several blades sticking out on either side

• Count all Pterygophera plants above 30cm high

Eisenia arborea

Photo from Gotshall

Eisenia arborea

• Has very thick, flexible stipe which spits into two at the top

• Several blades sprout out to each side of the Y-shaped stipe and gives alga a bushy appearance

• Count all Eisenia plants above 30cm high

Laminaria setchellii

Guiry

Photo from Gotshall

Laminaria setchellii

• Has very slender, flexible stipe

• Frond is long, wide and usually tears in several places causing it to look like a palm

• Count all Laminaria plants above 30cm high

Costaria costata

Costaria costata

• Large blade (up to 2m) with very small stipe

• This alga is characterized by its five ribs; two are located on one side of the blade, three on the other

Laminaria farlowii

Ragsac

Laminaria farlowii

• Has an extremely short stipe with long wide blade attached

• Blade must be 10 cm wide for plant to be counted

Alaria marginata

Alaria marginata

• Usually found in the low intertidal or very shallow subtidal

• Short stipe with very long blade, puckered around a pronounced midrib

Pleurophycus gardneri

Pleurophycus gardneri

• Seen frequently in more Southern sites such as Big Sur and Cambria

• Like Laminaria setchellii, but with large, lighter colored midrib up to 4 cm wide

• Blade is wavy with slight puckering at midrib

Undaria pinnatifida

Undaria pinnatifida

• When reproductive, it has a very large and distinct sporophyll at base of plant

• Easily spread invasive species; do not pull up, but mark its location and notify leader of dive team

Conclusion

• Any member of the benthic/invert team may be asked to perform algae counts

• It is extremely important for every person on the invert team to be proficient on algae swath species and protocol