The "Bewildering Brush"

  
  FHL Marine Botany  ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::   Taxonomy | Habitat | Morphology | Life History | Ecology | In + Around
 

 

Ecology

The place we call home.

 

CP2

Algal diversity in tidepool at Cattle Point, WA with Odonthalia and epiphytic Soranthera (small golden balls).

 

Littorina

Littorina (snails/periwinkles) on Odonthalia. Botanical Beach.

 

Soranthera

Soranthera ulvoidea on Odonthalia. Botany Beach.

 

alg

Herbarium specimen with a red alga at base, 7/25/1953.

  

 

 

Odonthalia's profuse branching creates a complex structure both underwater and out that provides habitat for many organisms and their egg masses, as well as epiphytes like Soranthera ulvoidea and diatoms.

Studies of epiphyte-host interactions between Odonthalia and the diatom Isthmia nervosa have revealed that negative effects of epiphytism (eg. increased drag) were apparent physiologically but not at the population level (1). Seasonal breakage occurs from colonization of Odonthalia after tetraspore development, and changes in this timing could affect community dynamics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

References

1) Ruesink, J. 1998. Diatom epiphytes on Odonthalia floccosa: the importance of extent and timing. Journal of Phycology 34: 29-38.

  
    Website created by Audrey Djunaedi in May 2009 as the final project for Biol 445 Marine Botany, Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington. All images created by the author unless noted otherwise. Photo permission/questions may be directed to auddju "-at-" u. washington.edu.  
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