Caulerpa verticillata J. Agardh 1847:6

Fernández-García, Cindy, Wysor, Brian, Riosmena-Rodríguez, Rafael, Salamanca, Enrique Peña- & Verbruggen, Heroen, 2016, DNA-assisted identification of Caulerpa (Caulerpaceae, Chlorophyta) reduces species richness estimates for the Eastern Tropical Pacific, Phytotaxa 252 (3), pp. 185-204 : 199

Caulerpa verticillata J. Agardh 1847:6 ( Figure 7 E,F )

Type Locality: −not specified. According to Skelton and South (2004: 301) the type locality is probably West Indies.

Description: −Forming dense small patches on rocks, generally covered by fine sediments, that are collected between the ramifications. Dark green filament fronds, tubular, (0.3–) 0.6–0.7 (–1.2) cm high, (0.8–) 1.4–1.6 (–3.0) mm wide. Whorled branchlets with dichotomous branching, apices forked. Fine creeping stolons, (0.1–) 0.2–0.3 (–0.5) mm diameter.

Habitat: −attached to rocky substratum with fine sediments, in turbid waters, intertidal (tide pools) to 2 m deep.

Distribution in the ETP: − Mexico: Colima, El Salvador: Golfo de Fonseca, Panama: Golfo de Chiriquí. Caulerpa verticillata was found in El Salvador and Panama and is the first record for those countries; this species was also reported by Pedroche et al. (2005) for the tropical coast of Mexico (Colima) ( Figure 3 ). It seems that this species is restricted to estuaries, and probably with more extensive sampling in these habitats the distribution area of this species may increase.

References: − Pedroche et al. 2005.

Other remarks: −First report for the Central American Pacific coast. Uncommon species, found on shores, but where encountered often forming dense turfs.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Distribution of Caulerpa species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

FIGURE 7. Habit and frond morphology: (A,B) C. serrulata (CFIC-919), (C,D) C. sertularioides (CFCR-813), (E,F) C. verticillata (CFES-005).