Sertularia cupressina

Researched By	Dr Paul Somerfield & Prof. Richard Warwick	Data Supplied By	PML
Refereed by	This information is not refereed
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Sertularia cupressina	Common name	Whiteweed
MCS Code	D433	Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Cnidaria	Subphylum
Superclass	Hydrozoa	Class	Leptolida
Subclass	Leptothecatae	Order	Conica
Suborder	Plumulariida	Family	Plumulariidae
Genus	Sertularia	Species	cupressina
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Howson & Picton, 1997
General Biology
Growth form	Dendroid	Feeding method	Predator
Mobility/Movement	Permanent attachment	Environmental position	Epifaunal, Epilithic
Typical food types	Zooplankton	Habit	Erect
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Large(>50cm)
Height	10 - 60 cm	Growth Rate	Not researched
Adult dispersal potential	Not researched	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Colonial
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Found on all British and Irish coasts.
Global distribution	Found in north-west Europe from Denmark to Portugal and on the east and west coasts of Canada.
Biogeographic range	Temperate.	Depth range	Extreme low water spring tidal reach to 100 m or more.
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Bedrock, Large to very large boulders, Cobbles, Small boulders	Physiographic preferences	Estuary, Enclosed coast / Embayment
Biological zone		Wave exposure
Tidal stream strength/Water flow		Salinity	Reduced (18-30 psu), Low (<18 psu)
Habitat Additional Information
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	II
Distribution References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fish & Fish, 1996
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Brooding
Reproductive Season	Continuous	Reproductive Location	As adult
Reproductive frequency	Annual protracted	Regeneration potential	Yes
Life span	See additional information	Age at reproductive maturity	<1 year
Generation time	Not researched	Fecundity	Insufficient information
Egg/propagule size	Insufficient information	Fertilization type	External
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Not researched Larval settlement period Continuous Duration of larval stage 11-30 days
Additional Information	Longevity is expected to be at least 1 year.
Reproduction References