Ericaria sedoides Neiva & Serrao

Marletta, Giuliana & Lombardo, Andrea, 2023, The Fucales (Ochrophyta, Phaeophyceae) of the Island of Pantelleria (Sicily Channel, Mediterranean Sea): a new contribution, Italian Botanist 15, pp. 137-163 : 137

Ericaria sedoides Neiva & Serrao

Fig. 14A-C

Fucus sedoides Desfontaines. Basionym.

Fucus ericoides var. sedoides Turner, Cystoseira sedoides C. Agardh. Synonyms.

Morphology of specimens from Pantelleria.

E. sedoides is a non-caespitose species, adhering to the substrate by a discoid holdfast from which a single cylindrical, trunk-like axis originates. This species is easily recognized by its typical brush-like habit. The axis is very thick and usually poorly branched. The apex is not very prominent and usually is covered by branches that form a compact terminal rosette. All branches are covered by spinose appendages, which are slender, bifid and uniformly distributed along the branches. Primary branches are short (1-3 cm) and their attachment is perpendicular to the main axis. Secondary branches are usually simple and do not reach the top of primary branches. During the monitoring activities, this species was not found fertile.

Habitat.

This species was observed during snorkelling activities in the upper infralittoral (0-1 m) along semi-exposed and exposed coasts at Bue Marino, Kuddie Rosse and Arenella.

Distribution.

E. sedoides is endemic to Algeria, Tunisia and the Island of Pantelleria ( Blanfuné et al. 2022).

Figures

Figure 14. Ericaria sedoides A, B habit C not prominent apex, covered by the branches.