Chorda filum

Chorda filum, commonly known as dead man's rope or sea lace among other names, is a species of brown algae in the genus Chorda. It is widespread in the temperate waters of the northern hemisphere. The species also has numerous other common names related to its physical appearance. Names include mermaid's tresses, cat's gut or sea-catgut, bootlace weed, sea-twine, and mermaid's fishing line.[2][3]

"Mermaid's tresses" redirects here. For Mermaid's hair, see Cladophora and Desmarestia.

Chorda filum
Chorda filum among Cladophora glomerata on the slopes of Gullmarn fjord, Sweden
Scientific classification
Clade: SAR
Phylum: Ochrophyta
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Laminariales
Family: Chordaceae
Genus: Chorda
Species:
C. filum
Binomial name
Chorda filum
(L.) Stackhouse, 1797
Synonyms[1]

Description
Chorda filum

Chorda filum have typically long, unbranched and hollow rope-like brown fronds about 5 mm (0.20 in) in diameter but can reach to lengths of 8 m (26 ft). The holdfast is disc-shaped. C. filum is found in sheltered marine and brackish bodies of water at depths of 5 m (16 ft). They are usually anchored to loose substrates like gravel and pebbles or other macroalgae and eelgrass. C. filum grow at an average of 17 cm (6.7 in) per month. They are annuals and die during winter.[2][4] The fronds bear short colorless hairs in summer.[5]

Chorda filum is similar to Halosiphon tomentosus. However H. tomentosus is less common and is covered with long brown paraphyses or sterile hairs.[5]

Habitat

Chorda filum is to be found in very sheltered shores.[6] It may be common or abundant near low water and in the sublittoral to 25 m (82 ft). in mud and sand.[7][8]

Distribution

Widespread and generally common around Ireland, Great Britain including Shetland Isles and the Isle of Man.[5][9]

References
  1. M.D. Guiry (2011). Guiry MD, Guiry GM (eds.). "Chorda filum (Linnaeus) Stackhouse, 1797". AlgaeBase. National University of Ireland, Galway. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  2. Nicola White & Stefan Kraan. "BIOTIC Species Information for Chorda filum". MarLIN (Marine Life Information Network). Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  3. M.D. Guiry (2012). "Chorda filum (Linnaeus) Stackhouse". AlgaeBase. National University of Ireland. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  4. Nicola White (2006). "Sea lace or Dead man's rope - Chorda filum". Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme. Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  5. Bunker, F. StP. D, Maggs, C.A., Brodie, J.A., Bunker, A. 2017 Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. Second Edition. Wild Nature Press, Plymouth, UK
  6. Lewis, J.R. 1964 The Ecology of Rocky Shores. The English Universities Press Ltd, London
  7. Morton, O. 1994. Marine Algae of Northern Ireland. Ulster Museum, Belfast ISBN 0-900761-28-8
  8. Morton, O. 2003 The marine macroalgae of County Donegal, Ireland. Bulletin of the Irish Biogeographical Society No. 27
  9. Hardy,F.G. and Guiry, M.D. 2003 A Check-list and Atlas of Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. The British Phycological Society, ISBN 0-9527115-16
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