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Trees- ShrubsYellow Dictyota ( Dictyota linearis )
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Dictyota linearis has a highly branched thalli, which is flattened and in a dichotomous pattern; it reaches a size of 20-100mm and is three cells thick (1; 2). The branches are linear and straight with the forked tips typical of the genus (1); there is a single prominent apical cell (2). When submerged D. linearis is iridescent, giving off bluish-green fluorescence (1). As the name suggests the yellow dictyota has a yellow-brown colouration (1).
There are approximately 83 species within the genus Dictyota (3); D. galapagensis and D. major are both listed under the IUCN Redlist, D. galapagensis is listed as Critically Endangered (4).
D. linearis is found on rocky substrates in depths of 5-15m (1); although it has been found as deep as 55m (5). It is found in well-lit areas of the sub-littoral zone (1).
Gametophytes are dioecious; the female gametangia and plurilocs are developed on separate thalli. Sporophytes produce four meiospores which grow into two male and two female gametophytes (2).
The yellow dictyota are distributed across the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Black Sea, Red Sea and Indian Ocean (1).
D. linearis 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) Guiry, M.D. (2009). Dictyota J.V. Lamouroux. In: Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2009). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Accessed through the World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=144086 on 2009-09-01
(4) IUCN, 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. [Online] (2009.1) Available at: www.iucnredlist.org [Accessed 01 September 2009].
(5) Taylor, W.R., 1972. Marine algae of the Eastern Tropical and Subtropical Coasts of the Americas. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, MI.
