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Cladophora socialis Kütz

 

Cladophora socialis Kütz

Description: Plants filamentous, slightly to profusely branched. Usually in soft to stiff clumps, often floating; attachments by rhizoids frequently from basal poles of mid to lower cells, or by cluster of basal rhizoids.Tufts isolated, pale or dark green; axes and branches frequently with adventitious holdfasts.

Introduction and Origin: Native to Hawaii.

Hawaiian Distribution: Kauai, Hawaii, Molokai, West Maui

Habitat: Near the line of low tide to 2 m deep. On hard substrates, or epiphytic on other algae.

Environmental Effects: Not studied. May affect recruitment of other species by successfully competing for substrate.

World Distribution: Hawaiian islands

Commercial Interests: None.

Rate of Spread / Method: Very high growth rates. Dispersal by fragmentation and vegetative growth (filaments have diffuse growth), motile gametes, and zoospores.

Factors likely to influence Spread and Distribution: Irradiance, temperature, high nutrients availability.

Reasons for Success: Rapid growth rate, high nutrients availability. Low surface to volume ratio ensures fast nutrient uptake. Diffuse growth of filaments facilitates vegetative propagation through fragmentation.

Control Methods: None used.

References: