Pelagophycus is a monotypic genus of kelp. It is found in deep waters off the west coast of central North America. The species Pelagophycus porra, also known as elk kelp, grows in temperatures of no higher than 60 °F (16 °C).
| Pelagophycus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pelagophycus porra washed up on San Clemente Island | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
| Clade: | SAR |
| Clade: | Stramenopiles |
| Phylum: | Gyrista |
| Subphylum: | Ochrophytina |
| Class: | Phaeophyceae |
| Order: | Laminariales |
| Family: | Laminariaceae |
| Genus: | Pelagophycus Areschoug, 1881 |
| Species: | P. porra
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pelagophycus porra | |
It grows in subtidal forests in the coastal waters off southern California and northwestern Baja California Peninsula, in waters of 20 metres (66 ft) to 90 metres (300 ft) deep, anchored by a holdfast in sedimentary or loose sediment bottoms.[1]
Three ecotypes are recognized:
- Pelagophycus giganteus
- Pelagophycus porra
- Pelagophycus intermedius [1]
References
edit- ^ a b Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 2013. Pelagophycus Areschoug, 1881, AlgaeBase, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 7 February 2013.
Further reading
edit- Fejtek, Stacie; Edwards, Matthew; Kim, Kwang Young (January 2011). "Elk Kelp, Pelagophycus porra, distribution limited due to susceptibility of microscopic stages to high light". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 396 (2): 194–201. doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2010.10.022.