Caulerpa ambigua

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Caulerpa ambigua
Scientific classification Edit this classification
(unranked): Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Ulvophyceae
Order: Bryopsidales
Family: Caulerpaceae
Genus: Caulerpa
Species:
C. ambigua
Binomial name
Caulerpa ambigua

Caulerpa ambigua is a species of seaweed in the Caulerpaceae family found in marine waters of the Pacific Ocean near the southern end of Japan.[1] It has a limited distribution and is endemic around the Bonin Islands around 500 km (311 mi) south of Japan.[2]

Description[edit]

It has dwarf filiform (threadlike) fronds that are typically 1 to 2 cm (0.39 to 0.79 in) in length and only 0.1 mm (0.0039 in) wide, tapering slightly along the length. The branches are arranged in a divaricate pattern and each branch is loosely closed with oppositely arranged scales called ramenta.[2] It is similar in appearance to Caulerpa okamurai which has a larger spread of distribution.[2]

Taxonomy[edit]

Caulerpa ambigua was first formally described by Kintarô Okamura in 1897 as part of the work On the Algae from Ogasawara-jima (Bonin Islands) as published in Botanical Magazine, Tokyo. The specific epithet is taken from the Latin word meaning doubtful or uncertain.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Wendy Guiry (2018). "Caulerpa ambigua Okamura". AlgaeBase. National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Tokyo Botanical Society (ed.). "The Botanical Magazine" (PDF). AlgaeBase.