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big bobs beepers and bongos |
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{{Taxobox |
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| color = khaki |
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| name = Kelp |
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| image = Kelp forest.jpg |
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| image_caption = [[California]]n kelp forest |
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| regnum = [[Protista]] |
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| divisio = [[Heterokont]]ophyta |
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| classis = [[Brown alga|Phaeophyceae]] |
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| ordo = '''Laminariales''' |
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| ordo_authority = [[Migula]] |
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| subdivision_ranks = Families |
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| subdivision = |
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[[Alariaceae]]<br> |
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[[Chordaceae]]<br> |
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[[Laminariaceae]]<br> |
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[[Lessoniaceae]]<br> |
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[[Phyllariaceae]]<br> |
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[[Pseudochordaceae]] |
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}} |
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'''Kelp''' are large [[seaweed]]s ([[algae]]), belonging to the [[brown alga]]e and classified in the order Laminariales. Despite their appearance they are not grouped with the normal aquatic or land plants ([[kingdom (biology)|kingdom]] [[Plantae]]), but instead are included in either kingdom [[Protista]] or [[Chromista]]. There are about 30 different [[genus|genera]]. Some larger members of the order [[Fucales]] are also included by some within the general term Kelp. Kelp grows in underwater [[forest]]s ([[kelp forest]]s) in clear, shallow, oceans, requiring nutrient rich water below about 20 °C, it offers a protection to some [[sea creatures]], or food for others. It is known for its high growth rate - the genus ''[[Macrocystis]]'' grows up to 30 cm per day, to a total length of over [[1 E1 m|60 meters]]. |
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== Morphology == |
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In most Kelp the thallus (or body), consists of flat or leaf-like structures known as blades. Blades originate from elongate, stem-like structures, the stipes. These kelp are mainly purple or pink and consist of a methane gas that helps fish live. The holdfast, a root-like structure anchors the Kelp to the substrate of the ocean. Gas-filled bladders ([[pneumatocyst]]s) form at the base of most blades and keep the Kelp blades close to the surface. |
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== Uses == |
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Kelp ash is rich in [[iodine]] and [[alkali]]. In great amount, kelp ash can be used in [[soap]] and [[glass]] production. Until the [[Leblanc process]] was invented, buring of Kelp was one of the principal industrial sources of [[Sodium carbonate]]. |
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[[Alginate]], a kelp-derived carbohydrate, is used to thicken products such as [[ice cream]], [[jelly]], [[salad dressing]], and [[toothpaste]], as well as in manufactured goods. |
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== Prominent species == |
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* [[bull-head kelp]] (''[[Nereocystis luetkeana]]''), a northwestern American species. Used by coastal [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous peoples]] to create [[fishing net]]s. |
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* [[giant kelp]] (''[[Macrocystis pyrifera]]''), the largest seaweed. Found in the Pacific coast of North America and South America. |
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* [[kombu]] (''[[Laminaria japonica]]''), an edible species of kelp found in Japan. |
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==Species of the British Isles== |
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*''[[Laminaria]] digitata'' (Hudson) J.V. Lamouroux (Oarweed; Tangle) |
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*''[[Laminaria]] hyperborea'' (Gunnerus) Foslie (Curvie) |
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*''[[Laminaria]] ochroleuca'' Bachelot de la Pylaie |
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*''[[Laminaria]] saccharina'' (Linnaeus) J.V.Lamouroux (Sea Belt; Sugar Kelp; Sugarwack) |
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[[Image:Kelp in Neskowin.jpg|thumb|right|Kelp]] |
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==Species of ''Laminaris'' World-wide== |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] agardhii'' (NE. [[Americas|America]]) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] angustata'' ([[Japan]]) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] bongardina'' Postels et Ruprecht (Bering Sea to [[California]]) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] cuneifolia'' (NE. America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] dentigera'' Klellm. ([[California]] - America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] digitata'' (NE. America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] ephemera'' Setchell (Sitka, Alaska, to Monterey County, [[California]] - America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] farlowii'' Setchell (Santa Cruz, [[California]], to Baja California - America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] groenlandica'' (NE. America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] japonica'' ([[Japan]]) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] longicruris'' (NE. America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] nigripes'' (NE. America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] ontermedia'' (NE. America) |
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* ''Laminaria pallida'' Greville ex J.Agardh ([[South Africa]]) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] platymeris'' (NE. America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] saccharina'' (Linnaeus) Lamouroux (Aleutian Islands, Alaska to southern [[California]] America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] setchellii'' Silva (Aleutian Islands, Alaska to Baja [[California]] America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] sinclairii'' ([[Harvey]] ex Hooker f. ex Harvey) Farlow, Anderson et Eaton (Hope Island, British Coluumbia to Los Angeles, [[California]] - America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] solidungula'' (NE. America) |
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* ''[[Laminaria]] stenophylla'' (NE. America) |
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==Other genera in the Laminariales which may be considered as "Kelp".== |
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*''Alaria marginata'' Post. & Rupr. ([[Alaska]] and [[California]] - [[Americas|America]] |
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*''Costaria costata'' (C.Ag.) Saunders [[Japan]]; Alaska, [[California]] - [[Amertica]]) |
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*''Durvillaea potatorum'' (Labillardière) Areschoug ([[Tasmania]]; [[Australia]]) |
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*''Ecklonia brevipes'' J.Agardh ([[Australia]]; [[New Zealand]]) |
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*''Ecklonia maxima'' (Osbeck) Papenfuss ([[South Africa]]) |
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*''Ecklonia radiata'' (C.Agardh) J.Agardh ([[Australia]]; [[Tasmania]]; [[New Zealand]]; [[South Africa]]) |
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*''Eisena arborea'' Aresch. (Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Montrey, Santa Catalina Island, [[California]] - America) |
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*''Egregia menziesii'' (Turn.) Aresch. |
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*''Hedophyllum sessile (C.Ag.) Setch (Alaska, [[California]] - America) |
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*''Macrocystis angustifolia'' Bory ([[Australia]]; [[Tasmania]] and [[South Africa]]) |
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*''Pleurophycus gardneri'' Setch. & Saund. (Alaska, [[California]] - America) |
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*''Pterygophora californica'' Rupr. (Vancouver Island, British Columbia to Bahia del Ropsario, Baja Californis and [[California]] - America) |
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== Interactions == |
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Some animals are named after the [[kelp]], either because they inhabit the same [[habitat (ecology)|habitat]] as [[kelp]] or because they feed on [[kelp]]. These include: |
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* [[Kelp crab]] (''[[Pugettia producta]]''), the Pacific coast of North America. |
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* [[Kelpfish]] ([[blenny]]) (e.g., ''Heterosticbus rostratus'', genus ''[[Gibbonsia]]''), the Pacific coast of North America. |
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* [[Kelp Goose]] ([[kelp hen]]) (''Ocydromus fuscus''), South America and the Falkland Islands |
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* [[kelp pigeon]] ([[sheathbill]]) (''Chionis'' sp), Antarctic |
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==See also== |
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{{commonscat|Laminariales}} |
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* [[Kelp forest]] |
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* [[bladder wrack]] |
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* [[KeLP programing system]] |
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* [[Monterey Bay Aquarium]], which displays a kelp forest and its wildlife. |
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* [http://www.seavitaminsandmarinenutrition.com/seaweed-video.php Underwater Seaweed Video] |
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* [[Kyle Saunders]] |
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[[Category:Brown algae]] |
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[[Category:Sea vegetables]] |
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Revision as of 03:31, 9 November 2006
big bobs beepers and bongos