Chaetomorpha melagonium explained

Chaetomorpha melagonium is a species of green algae of the family Cladophoraceae.

There is confusion as to whether there are two forms of this species - one attached and one unattached.^[1]

Description

The attached form is unbranched growing solitary or in a small group to 60 cm long. The filaments are attached at the base and are stiff and straight. In colour they are dark green with a glaucus sheen.^[1] Remarkably rigid and wiry.^[2] The cells are so large they can be seen with naked eye.^[3]

Habitat

Rock pools of the low littoral.^[1] Never abundant,^[4] but widespread.

Distribution

Widespread around the British Isles, along the Atlantic shores of Europe, Murman Sea, Greenland, Canadian Arctic.^[1]

Notes and References

1. Burrows, E.M. 1991. Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 2 Chlorophyta. Natural History Museum, London
2. Harvey, W.H. 1841. A Manual of the British Algae: London
3. Hardy, F.G. and Guiry, M.D.2003. A Check-list and Atlas of the Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. The British Phycological Society
4. Newton, J. 1931. A Handbook of the British Seaweeds. British Museum, London