Cladophora rupestris

Researched ByGeorgina BuddData Supplied ByMarLIN
Refereed byDr Fabio Rindi
Taxonomy
Scientific nameCladophora rupestrisCommon nameA green seaweed
MCS CodeZS212Recent SynonymsNone
PhylumChlorophycotaSubphylum
SuperclassClassCladophorophyceae
SubclassOrderCladophorales
SuborderFamilyCladophoraceae
GenusCladophoraSpeciesrupestris
Subspecies  
Additional InformationThe morphology of the species is fairly constant over a wide range of habitat conditions and over a wide geographical area. Its morphology is affected by physical damage due to grazing by animals and loss of the apical region on reproduction, both instances are followed by regeneration and proliferation of branches. Cladophora rupestris sometimes forms an almost complete cover of stunted growth at high tide level and occasionally in the splash zone where pools are brackish. Filaments are short and branching dense in the most wave exposed locations (Burrows, 1991).
Taxonomy References Dickinson, 1963, Hayward et al., 1996, Hoek van den, 1963, Burrows, 1991
General Biology
Growth formShrubFeeding methodPhotoautotroph
Mobility/MovementPermanent attachmentEnvironmental positionEpilithic, Epiphytic
Typical food typesPhotoautotrophHabitAttached
BioturbatorNot relevantFlexibilityHigh (>45 degrees)
FragilityFragileSizeMedium(11-20 cm)
HeightUp to 20 cm.Growth RateInsufficient information
Adult dispersal potentialNot relevantDependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary
Toxic/Poisonous?No
Additional InformationSpecies of the genus Cladophora are colonized by a wide variety of epiphytes and motile animals because they can offer protection from predation, provide food (either in the form of epiphytes, or itself), or a substratum that is anchored against water flow turbulence (Dodds & Gudder, 1992).
Cladophora rupestris is only very rarely epiphytic (F. Rindi, pers. comm.).
Biology References Dodds & Gudder, 1992
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandFound all round the coast of Britain and Ireland on suitable substrata.
Global distributionSee additional information.
Biogeographic rangeNot researchedDepth rangeIntertidal to a few metres sublittorally.
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional InformationThe species occurs throughout the year but attains maximum development in summer near low tide level (Burrows, 1991). It is mostly an intertidal species although it may also extend into the sublittoral but only by a few metres (F. Rindi, pers. comm.).

Global distribution
European Atlantic coast from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Baltic Sea, Murman Sea and White Sea. Atlantic coasts of North America from Canadian Arctic, south to Massachusetts, Greenland, Iceland and Faeroes. Also found in Morocco, Brazil, Japan, Lord Howe Island (Australia) and in the Antarctic (Guiry & Nic Dhonncha, 2002).

Substratum preferencesBedrock, Small boulders, Cobbles, AlgaePhysiographic preferencesOpen coast, Strait / sound, Sealoch, Ria / Voe, Enclosed coast / Embayment
Biological zoneSupralittoral, Upper Littoral Fringe, Lower Littoral Fringe, Upper Eulittoral, Mid Eulittoral, Lower Eulittoral, Sublittoral Fringe, Upper Infralittoral, Lower InfralittoralWave exposureVery Exposed, Exposed, Moderately Exposed, Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flowModerately Strong (1-3 kn)SalinityFull (30-40 psu), Low (<18 psu), Reduced (18-30 psu), Variable (18-40 psu)
Habitat Additional InformationNone entered
Distribution References Norton, 1985, Dickinson, 1963, Hayward et al., 1996, Burrows, 1991, Hardy & Guiry, 2003, Guiry & Nic Dhonncha, 2002
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeAlternation of generations Developmental mechanismSpores (sexual / asexual)
Reproductive SeasonMost of the yearReproductive LocationWater column
Reproductive frequencyAnnual protracted Regeneration potentialNo
Life spanInsufficient informationAge at reproductive maturityInsufficient information
Generation time<1 yearFecundityNot relevant
Egg/propagule sizeNot relevantFertilization typeExternal
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential>10kmLarval settlement periodNot relevant
Duration of larval stageInsufficient information  
Additional InformationInformation on the ecology of reproduction and propagation of the genus Cladophora is limited. Reproduction is achieved by the release of quadriflagellate zoospores and biflagellate isogametes formed in the terminal cells of fronds. The life history consists of an isomorphic (indistinguishable except for the type of reproductive bodies produced) alternation of gametophyte and sporophyte generations, the plants are dioecious (Burrows, 1991). Both zoospores and gametes can be found at most times of the year. Archer (1963, cited in Burrows, 1991) was unable to find any correlation between the time of reproduction, the state of tide or environmental conditions. Most species of Cladophora attach to the substratum by multicellular, branching rhizoids (van den Hoek, 1982). These basal holdfasts may serve as resistant structures from which new growths can arise.
Reproduction References Burrows, 1991, Dodds & Gudder, 1992, Archer, 1963, Hoek van den, 1982