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Trees- Shrubs( Codium coralloides )
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Codium coralloides can reach 100-200mm large, and 10-30mm thick (1; 2); it has a multi-axial thalli and highly interwoven siphons expanding at the surface to from utricles (2). It is smooth and fragile in texture with a dark green colouration (1).
There are approximately 28 species in the genus Codium (3); C. bursa is also found within the Mediterranean. None of the species within the genus Codium are listed under the IUCN Redlist (4). The species within the genus that has a similar appearance is C. effusum; which is more compact with a thicker thallus, C. effusum is also much more difficult to remove from the substrate (1).
C. coralloides is found attached to the rocky substrate at depths of 10-40m; however, it can be easily removed (1).
Gametangia develop as branches from the utricles (end of siphonous tube), they contain two different biflagellate anisogametes; a septa separated them from the thallus, meaning the thallus can persist after gamete discharge (2).
C. coralloides is endemic to the Mediterranean (1).
C. coralloides uses photosynthesis, as well as requiring various inorganic nutrients, such as carbon dioxide, phosphorus and fixed nitrogen (2).
Not listed under the IUCN Redlist (4).
Description written by Ben Harvey (2009)
(1) Cabioc’H, J., Floc’H, J. & Le Toquin, A., 1992. Guide mes algues des mers d’Europe. Paris: Delachaux et Niestle.
(2) Graham, L.E. & Wilcox, L.W., 2000. Algae. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc.
(3) ITIS, 2009. ITIS Standard Report Page: Codium. [Online] Available at: http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=6896 [Accessed 1 September 2009].
(4) IUCN, 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. [Online] (2009.1) Available at: www.iucnredlist.org [Accessed 01 September 2009].
