BIOTIC Species Information for Delesseria sanguinea
Researched byDr Harvey Tyler-Walters Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byDr Joanna Jones
General Biology
Growth formTurf
Foliose
Feeding methodPhotoautotroph
Mobility/MovementPermanent attachment
Environmental positionEpifloral
Typical food typesNot relevant HabitAttached
BioturbatorNot relevant FlexibilityHigh (>45 degrees)
FragilityIntermediate SizeMedium-large(21-50cm)
Height Growth RateUp to 30 cm
Adult dispersal potentialNone DependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary
Toxic/Poisonous?No
General Biology Additional InformationDelesseria sanguinea is perennial and exhibits a complex life cycle. This species exhibits a strong seasonal pattern of growth and reproduction. New blades appear in February and grow to full size by May -June becoming increasing battered or torn and the lamina are reduced to midribs by December (Maggs & Hommersand, 1993). Blade weight is maximal in midsummer, growth dropping in June and July and becoming zero in August (Kain, 1984). Small new blades may be formed in darkness, reserves translocated from assimilates stored in the frond ribs and stipes which persist in winter (Luning, 1990; Maggs & Hommersand, 1993). Kain (1987) suggested that new blade growth may result from an increase in irradiance and hence inhibition of reproduction (e.g. due to removal of Laminarian plants from a kelp canopy) which may explain occasional crop of new blades noted in summer. Kain (1987) also suggested that the normal seasonal trigger for new blade production was temperature, probably when temperatures fell to 13 deg C or below. Morphology, salinity and temperature tolerances differ between North Sea and Baltic populations. In the Baltic specimens are smaller than British specimens, with thinner blades. Temperature and salinity tolerances are probably genetically determined (Rietema, 1993).
Biology References Maggs & Hommersand, 1993, Lüning, 1990, Hiscock, 1986(b), Dickinson, 1963, Rietema, 1993, Bold & Wynne, 1978, Kain, 1982, Kain, 1987, Kain & Norton, 1990,
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