The ecology of Sargassum pteropleuron Grunow (Phaeophyceae, Fucales) in the waters off South Florida
Prince JS and O'Neal SW. 1979. The ecology of Sargassum pteropleuron Grunow (Phaeophyceae, Fucales) in the waters off South Florida. Phycologia. 18(2):109-114
The seasonal growth (change in length), reproduction, and structure of a dense population of Sargassum pteropleuron Grunow off Key Largo, Florida are described. The maximum mean rate of increase in plant length occured during the high water temperatures and nutrient concentrations of the summer months. Rapid loss of annual axes occurred with the end of reproduction in the fall. Reproduction occurred concurrently with both a reduction in day length to less than 11∙5 h and a drop in water temperature. The seasonality of seaweed growth in the subtropics is discussed. Abstract given by author.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Prince, Jeffrey; O'Neal, Steven
- Units
- BISC
- Keywords
- Algae, Benthic species, Brown seaweed, Ecology, Epiphytes, Fucales, Growth, Gulf Stream, Harry Harris County Park, Key Largo, Nutrient concentrations, pelagic species, Phaeophyceae, Phenology, Reproduction, Sargasso Sea, Sargassum population, Sargassum pteropleuron, Seasonal growth, Seasonal reproduction, Seasonal structure, Seaweed growth, South Florida, Subtropical waters, tropical waters, Water Temperature