Codium bursa is a green marine algae of medium size.

Codium bursa
"Codium bursa" in Niolon near Marseille
Codium bursa in Niolon near Marseille
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Clade: Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: UTC clade
Order: Bryopsidales
Family: Codiaceae
Genus: Codium
Species:
C. bursa
Binomial name
Codium bursa

Description

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Codium bursa is a marine alga growing to 30 cm across. It generally appears as a spongy sphere of utricles which at the surface form a cortex. It is composed of loosely packed filaments which at the surface form a cortex of utricles which are single celled bladder-like or club-shaped structures.[2] It has a velvety texture and is dark green in colour. The alga is attached by a holdfast of filaments.[3]

Distribution

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In the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to the British Isles,[4] where they perhaps are originating further south, since C. bursa is very persistent in drift.[4] In Ireland the most recent record was in 1977 from County Donegal.[5] also recorded from other countries in Europe.[3] In the Mediterranean often found accompanying the seagrass Posidonia oceanica and commonly found beachcast amongst leaves of Posidonia oceanica.[4]

Habitat

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Codium bursa grows sublittorally attached to rock to 10 m deep in the Atlantic Ocean[3] and up to 50 meters deep in the Mediterranean Sea.[4]

See also

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  • Marimo, a round, freshwater algae

References

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  1. ^ M.D.Guiry. "Codium bursa - C.Agardh 1817". Alagebase. National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  2. ^ Burrows, E.M. 1991. Seaweeds of the British Isles. Volume 2 Chlorophyta. Natural History Museum, LondonISBN 0-565-00981-8
  3. ^ a b c Bunker, F.StP.D, Brodie, J.A., Maggs, C.A. and Bunker, A.R.2017. Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. Second edition. Wild Nature Press, Plymouth.UK.ISBN 978-0-9955673-3-7
  4. ^ a b c d https://www.seaweed.ie/descriptions/Codium_bursa.php. Accessed 2024-01-07
  5. ^ Morton, O. 1978. Some interesting records of algae from Ireland. Irish Naturalists' Journal 19: 240 - 242