Callophyllis crenulata
{crenulate = having small teeth}
Identification
Red sea fan species (Callophyllis spp.) are flattened, fan-shaped red algae with veinless, dichotomously-branched blades. Branch width and length vary with between species, though such characteristics are generally not enough to accurately differentiate between species. Confirmation at even the genus level may require microscopic examination. See the AlgaeBase Callophyllis page for genus identification details.
Mature C. crenulata plants tend to grow 10-15 cm tall, have end branch segments less than 2 cm tall, have curly or wavy (crispate) margins, and have small grooves running lengthwise along their branches (canaliculate).
Habitat & Range
Red sea fan species mostly grow in the subtidal to depths of 20 m, though they may occasionally be found in the low intertidal. They are mostly perennial, and grow on rock, other algae (epiphytic), and animals (epizoic). They are found from northern Alaska to northern Mexico.
Similar Species
Frilly red ribbon (Palmaria callophylloides), a similar red alga, grows in the high to mid-intertidal.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/345268-Callophyllis-crenulata
Red sea fan species (Callophyllis spp.) are flattened, fan-shaped red algae with veinless, dichotomously-branched blades. Branch width and length vary with between species, though such characteristics are generally not enough to accurately differentiate between species. Confirmation at even the genus level may require microscopic examination. See the AlgaeBase Callophyllis page for genus identification details.
Mature C. crenulata plants tend to grow 10-15 cm tall, have end branch segments less than 2 cm tall, have curly or wavy (crispate) margins, and have small grooves running lengthwise along their branches (canaliculate).
Habitat & Range
Red sea fan species mostly grow in the subtidal to depths of 20 m, though they may occasionally be found in the low intertidal. They are mostly perennial, and grow on rock, other algae (epiphytic), and animals (epizoic). They are found from northern Alaska to northern Mexico.
Similar Species
Frilly red ribbon (Palmaria callophylloides), a similar red alga, grows in the high to mid-intertidal.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/345268-Callophyllis-crenulata
References
Gabrielson, Paul W., Thomas Benjamin Widdowson, and Sandra C. Lindstrom. Keys to the seaweeds and seagrasses of southeast Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. No. 8. University of British Columbia, 2012.
Lamb, A., and Hanby, B. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest [electronic version]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Lindberg, M. and Lindstrom, S. (2010). Callophyllis spp. Red Sea Fan. Seaweeds of Alaska. Accessed 01/04/2015.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell (2016).
Gabrielson, Paul W., Thomas Benjamin Widdowson, and Sandra C. Lindstrom. Keys to the seaweeds and seagrasses of southeast Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. No. 8. University of British Columbia, 2012.
Lamb, A., and Hanby, B. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest [electronic version]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Lindberg, M. and Lindstrom, S. (2010). Callophyllis spp. Red Sea Fan. Seaweeds of Alaska. Accessed 01/04/2015.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell (2016).