BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Zostera marina
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction
Click here to view the MarLIN Key Information Review for Zostera marina
Researched by	Dr Harvey Tyler-Walters	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Dr Leigh Jones
General Biology
Growth form	Foliose	Feeding method	Photoautotroph
Mobility/Movement	Permanent attachment	Environmental position	Epifloral Infaunal
Typical food types	Not relevant	Habit	Attached
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Medium-large(21-50cm)
Height	Exceptionally, up to 2 m	Growth Rate	5 m/year
Adult dispersal potential	10-100m	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
General Biology Additional Information	The stated growth rate refers to vegetative growth recorded in perennial populations whereas annual populations may expand at 30m / year in good conditions (Holt et al. 1997). The following species have been recorded only from seagrass leaves: the hydroid Laomedea angulata; the algae Rhodophysema georgii, Halothrix lumbricalis,Leblondiella densa, Myrionema magnusii, Cladosiphon zosterae, Punctaria crispata; and Cladosiphon contortus, which is larger and found primarily on Zosterasp. rhizomes.
Biology References	Hartog den, 1970, Phillips & Menez, 1988, Davison & Hughes, 1998, Jones et al., 2000, Anonymous, 1999(p), Holt et al., 1997,