BIOTIC Species Information for Fucus spiralis
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| Researched by | Nicola White | Data supplied by | MarLIN | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | Dr Graham Scott | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Fucus spiralis | Common name | Spiral wrack | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | ZR383 | Recent Synonyms | None | ||||||||||||
| Phylum | Chromophycota | Subphylum | |||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Phaeophyceae | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Order | Fucales | |||||||||||||
| Suborder | Family | Fucaceae | |||||||||||||
| Genus | Fucus | Species | spiralis | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | A number of discrete forms of this species have been recorded. In the UK, a diminutive form Fucus spiralis nanus is relatively common. | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Howson & Picton, 1997, Fish & Fish, 1996, Anderson & Scott, 1998, Scott et al., 2000, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Foliose Shrub |
Feeding method | Photoautotroph |
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| Mobility/Movement | Permanent attachment |
Environmental position | Epifloral |
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| Typical food types | Not relevant | Habit | Attached | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Not relevant | Flexibility | High (>45 degrees) | ||||||||||||
| Fragility | Intermediate | Size | Medium-large(21-50cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | Up to 40 cm | Growth Rate | 1.1 cm / month | ||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | None | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Solitary | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | Fucus spiralis spends up to 90 percent of the time out of the water. It can tolerate a high level of desiccation, being able to survive 70 to 80 percent water loss. Distinct varieties of Fucus spiralis have been recognised, such as Fucus spiralis forma nanus, which is a dwarf form present on exposed shores. Fucus spiralis also hybridises with Fucus vesiculosus providing considerable difficulty in identification. | ||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Niemeck & Mathieson, 1976, Fish & Fish, 1996, Scott et al., 2000, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | All coasts of Britain and Ireland | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Atlantic coast of France, Spain, Morocco, Azores, East coast of America from New Jersey to Nova Scotia and isolated reports in the Northern Pacific. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Not researched | Depth range | Lower littoral fringe | ||||||||||||
| Migratory | Non-migratory / Resident | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | Fucus spiralis favours rocks with many cracks and fissures, which probably provide some protection for developing zygotes and adult plants. It can extend into estuaries up to the 10 psu isohaline. The presence or absence of suitable substrata is considered to be one of the most important factors determining the distribution of Fucus spiralis. | ||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Bedrock Large to very large boulders Small boulders Cobbles |
Physiographic preferences | Strait / sound Sealoch Ria / Voe Estuary |
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| Biological zone | Lower Littoral Fringe |
Wave exposure | Moderately Exposed Sheltered Very Sheltered |
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| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Strong (3-6 kn) Moderately Strong (1-3 kn) Weak (<1 kn) Very Weak (negligible) |
Salinity | Reduced (18-30 psu) Variable (18-40 psu) Full (30-40 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Niemeck & Mathieson, 1976, JNCC, 1999, Norton, 1985, Hardy & Guiry, 2003, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Vegetative Permanent hermaphrodite |
Developmental mechanism | Insufficient information |
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| Reproductive Season | July to August | Reproductive Location | |||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Annual episodic | Regeneration potential | No | ||||||||||||
| Life span | 3-5 years | Age at reproductive maturity | 1-2 years | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | 3-5 years | Fecundity | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | Insufficient information | Fertilization type | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | Fucus spiralis is hermaphroditic. Receptacles are initiated during late January to February, gametes discharged during July and August, and the receptacles shed by November, although exact timing of reproduction depends on location and the form of the plant. Young plants usually reach a length of 8 to 10 cm or more before they form receptacles. Reproduction usually begins before or during the second years growth. Vegetative recruitment occurs by the formation of new fronds from existing holdfasts. This form of reproduction is important in existing stands of the population, whereas recruitment by eggs is more important in disturbed areas or in areas where germlings are protected e.g. rock crevices. | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | Niemeck & Mathieson, 1976, Robertson, 1985, Scott et al., 2000, Vernet & Harper, 1980, | ||||||||||||||
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