AquaNISInformation system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species |
Species | Asparagopsis armata [WoRMS] | |
Authority | Harvey, 1855 | |
Family | Bonnemaisoniaceae | |
Order | Bonnemaisoniales | |
Class | Florideophyceae | |
Phylum | Rhodophyta | |
Synonym (?) | Falkenbergia olens A.H.S.Lucas 1919 Falkenbergia rufolanosa (Harvey) F.Schmitz 1897 Falkenbergia vagabunda (Harvey) Falkenberg 1901 Polysiphonia rufolanosa Harvey 1855 Polysiphonia vagabunda Harvey 1859 References (not structured): M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 2012. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; Accessed on 25 July 2012. |
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Sub-species level (?) | Not entered |
Native origin (?) | Country: Australia --> LME: 42. Southeast Australian Shelf; LME sub-region: Bass strait References (not structured): Womersley, H. B. S. 1996. The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia. Rhodophyta. Part IIIB. Gracilariales, Rhodymeniales, Corallinales and Bonnemaisoniales. Australian Biological Resources Study & State Herbarium of South Australia, Canberra, 392 pp. Comments: Pacific SW Australia NE Atlantic WI, EI, SWP, SEP |
Life form / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Vergés, A., Paul, N. A., & Steinberg, P. D. (2008). Sex and life-history stage alter herbivore responses to a chemically defended red alga. Ecology, 89(5), 1334-1343. Comments: Sporophyte and gametophyte are benthic. Carposporophyte (microscopic diploid phase releasing carpospores that generate a new spopophyte) lives on the female gametophyte. |
Sociability / Life stage (?) |
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Reproductive frequency (?) | Iteroparous References (not structured): Vergés, A., Paul, N. A., & Steinberg, P. D. (2008). Sex and life-history stage alter herbivore responses to a chemically defended red alga. Ecology, 89(5), 1334-1343. |
Reproductive type (?) | Asexual Sexual References: Guiry, M. D. & Dawes, C. J. 1992. Daylength, temperature and nutrient control of tetrasporogenesis in Asparagopsis armata (Rhodophyta). J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 158:197–219. Vergés, A., Paul, N. A., & Steinberg, P. D. (2008). Sex and life-history stage alter herbivore responses to a chemically defended red alga. Ecology, 89(5), 1334-1343. Comments: Asparagopsis armata has a triphasic heteromorphic life cycle typical of Florideophycean red algae, alternating between a plumose gametophyte (haploid), a microscopic carposporophyte (diploid), and a filamentous tetrasporophyte (diploid), also known as the "Falkenbergia" stage. |
Developmental trait (?) | Unknown References: Vergés, A., Paul, N. A., & Steinberg, P. D. (2008). Sex and life-history stage alter herbivore responses to a chemically defended red alga. Ecology, 89(5), 1334-1343. Comments: The free-living, filamentous diploid (2n) sporophyte ("Falkenbergia" stage) produces haploid (n) spores via meiosis, and these develop into male or female free-living plumose gametophytes. Haploid gametophytes produce male or female gametes. Fertilization occurs on the female reproductive structures or cystocarps and gives rise to a diploid zygote that develops into a multicellular carposporophyte that remains dependant to the female thallus. The microscopic carposporophyte produces diploid carpospores that are released in the water column and develop into sporophytes. Untile the release of carpospores, the carposporophyte remains connected to the female thallus and acquires nutrients from it continuously. Furthermore, the female gametophyte allocates energies to production of secondary metabolites (moe than the male thallus) as anti-herbivory defense. This is a very rare example of "maternal care" by plants. |
Characteristic feeding method / Life stage (?) |
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Mobility / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 2013. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; Accessed November 2013. Comments: Drift specimens of gametophyte readily attach to other algae by barbed branchlets, and produce new shoots |
Salinity tolerance range (?) | Venice system: 7. Euhaline [30-40psu] |
Habitat modifying ability potential (?) | Autogenic ecosystem engineers Comments: Perennial habitat former |
Toxicity / Life stage (?) | Not entered |
Bioaccumulation association (?) | Not entered |
Known human health impact? | Not entered |
Known economic impact? | Not entered |
Known measurable environmental impact? | Not entered |
Included in the Target Species list? | Not entered |
Association with vessel vectors (?) | Biofouling |
Last update by | Anna Occhipinti, 2014-03-26 |