Sea lace or Dead man's rope (Chorda filum)
Chorda filum.
Photographer: Keith Hiscock Copyright: Dr Keith Hiscock
Stand of Chorda filum in Babbacombe Bay, Devon.
Photographer: Paul Newland Copyright: Paul Newland
Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help
| Researched by | Nicola White | Refereed by | Dr Stefan Kraan |
| Authority | (Linnaeus) Stackhouse, 1797 | ||
| Other common names | - | Synonyms | Chorda filum (Linnaeus) Stackhouse, 1797 |
Summary
Description
Chorda filum is a brown seaweed with long cord-like fronds, only 5 mm thick in diameter. The fronds are hollow, slippery, unbranched and grow up to 8 m long. The species attaches to the substratum using a small discoid holdfast. It is an annual species, disappearing in winter.
Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland
All coasts of Britain and Ireland, but rarer in south east England.Global distribution
See additional information.Habitat
Found in rock pools on the low shore and in the sublittoral down to 5 m. It is most commonly found in sheltered bays attached to stones and shells, often with the holdfast buried in sand.Depth range
Less than 20 mIdentifying features
- Frond round in section, cord-like and unbranched.
- Attached by a tiny disc-like holdfast.
- Slimy texture.
- Colourless short hairs on frond in summer.
Additional information
Other common names include mermaid's tresses and cat gut.
Listed by
- none -
Biology review
Taxonomy
| Phylum | Ochrophyta | Brown and yellow-green seaweeds |
| Class | Phaeophyceae | |
| Order | Laminariales | |
| Family | Chordaceae | |
| Genus | Chorda | |
| Authority | (Linnaeus) Stackhouse, 1797 | |
| Recent Synonyms | Chorda filum (Linnaeus) Stackhouse, 1797 | |
Biology
| Typical abundance | Moderate density | ||
| Male size range | Up to 8m | ||
| Male size at maturity | 36cm | ||
| Female size range | 36cm | ||
| Female size at maturity | |||
| Growth form | Filiform / filamentous | ||
| Growth rate | 17cm/month | ||
| Body flexibility | |||
| Mobility | |||
| Characteristic feeding method | Autotroph | ||
| Diet/food source | |||
| Typically feeds on | |||
| Sociability | |||
| Environmental position | Epifloral | ||
| Dependency | Independent. | ||
| Supports | No information | ||
| Is the species harmful? | No | ||
Biology information
Chorda filum is a summer annual, falling into decay in the autumn and disappearing during winter. Growth rate is maximal during the summer. The adult frond is a hollow tube, the walls of which are spirally constructed. The frond is frequently inflated with gases in the terminal region. Plants usually grow in clumps. The end of the frond decays continuously and is replaced by growth from a sub-terminal meristem. Hairs are sparse or absent on older plants.
Habitat preferences
| Physiographic preferences | Strait / sound, Sea loch / Sea lough, Ria / Voe, Estuary, Isolated saline water (Lagoon), Enclosed coast / Embayment |
| Biological zone preferences | Lower infralittoral, Sublittoral fringe, Upper infralittoral |
| Substratum / habitat preferences | Macroalgae, Gravel / shingle, Mixed, Muddy gravel, Pebbles |
| Tidal strength preferences | Moderately Strong 1 to 3 knots (0.5-1.5 m/sec.), Weak < 1 knot (<0.5 m/sec.) |
| Wave exposure preferences | Sheltered, Very sheltered |
| Salinity preferences | Full (30-40 psu), Low (<18 psu), Reduced (18-30 psu), Variable (18-40 psu) |
| Depth range | Less than 20 m |
| Other preferences | No text entered |
| Migration Pattern | Non-migratory / resident |
Habitat Information
Global distributionCanada (Arctic), Alaska, NW Atlantic from Labrador to New Jersey, Greenland, Iceland, Spitsbergen, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, Belgium, the Baltic, the Faroes, France, Spain, Portugal, Canary Islands, Greece, China, Japan and south Kurile Islands, NE Pacific and the Bering Strait.
Chorda filum occurs in sheltered bays, estuaries, lagoons and sea lochs. It is rarely found on the open coast and is completely absent from exposed shores. The plants occur in clumps on a range of unstable, small objects such as pebbles and shells. It may also be found on sand and detritus but it will not remain for long on this substratum (S. Kraan, pers. comm.). They are also epiphytic on Zostera marina and Fucus vesiculosus. During stormy weather, plants may be washed to more sheltered locations where they continue development. Chorda filum has considerable tolerance to reduced salinities and extends into river mouths and the Baltic, where it grows at 3.5 psu. However, plants that grow in fully marine conditions cannot withstand immersion in freshwater for 2 hours (Russell, 1985).
Life history
Adult characteristics
| Reproductive type | Alternation of generations | |
| Reproductive frequency | Annual protracted | |
| Fecundity (number of eggs) | >1,000,000 | |
| Generation time | <1 year | |
| Age at maturity | <1 year | |
| Season | ||
| Life span | Insufficient information |
Larval characteristics
| Larval/propagule type | - |
| Larval/juvenile development | Spores (sexual / asexual) |
| Duration of larval stage | Not relevant |
| Larval dispersal potential | 100 -1000 m |
| Larval settlement period | Not relevant |
Life history information
Chorda filum has a similar life-history to other Laminariales, exhibiting alternation of heteromorphic generations. The species has a macroscopic diploid sporophyte and a microscopic haploid gametophyte. The gametophytes consist of clumps of prostate, branched, filaments approximately 100 micrometres long. Female gametophytes are less branched than male ones and may be distinguished by their larger more densely pigmented cells. The male gametophytes are smaller, paler in colour and more densely branched than the females. Chorda filum exhibits a protracted reproductive period. Visible sporophytes appear on shores between February and mid-March and develop into secondary sporophytes between April and June. The sporophytes are washed away from October to February, leaving behind zoospores or gametophytes. The size of plants is not related to their state of maturity, although the smallest plants to bear sporangia have been observed to be 36.6 cm long. When the meristem becomes indistinct it is likely that fruiting has begun. During the period of fertility the whole plant except the lowermost 5-10 cm, is covered in unilocular sporangia. Experiments on growing Chorda filum in culture have shown that fruiting appears to be endogenously controlled and occurs irrespective of environmental conditions (South & Burrows, 1967).Sensitivity review
The MarLIN sensitivity assessment approach used below has been superseded by the MarESA (Marine Evidence-based Sensitivity Assessment) approach (see menu). The MarLIN approach was used for assessments from 1999-2010. The MarESA approach reflects the recent conservation imperatives and terminology and is used for sensitivity assessments from 2014 onwards.
Physical pressures
| Intolerance | Recoverability | Sensitivity | Evidence/Confidence | |
| High | High | Moderate | Low | |
| Chorda filum is permanently attached to the substratum and would be removed with substratum loss. Accordingly, intolerance has been assessed as high. Recruitment rates of the species are not known, however it has a fast growth rate and high fecundity and recovery rates are probably high. | ||||
| Intermediate | High | Low | Low | |
| The impact of smothering would depend on the time of year when it occurred. If smothering took place in winter, the microscopic gametophytes of Chorda filum would be buried. Although the gametophytes are more than likely to be tolerant of darkness (see turbidity), the reduction in oxygen often associated with smothering may lead to gametophytes rotting. At the very least, it may delay the microscopic gametophytes from germinating. If smothering occurred between April and November, when the large sporophytes are present, the impact would be lessened because some of the fronds would escape burial. Indeed, plants are often found with their holdfasts buried in sand or mud. Overall, intolerance has been assessed as intermediate to reflect the possibility that some gametophytes may be lost which would lead to a reduced population size the following year. Recruitment rates of the species are not known, however it has a fast growth rate and high fecundity and recovery rates are probably high. | ||||
| Tolerant | Not relevant | Not sensitive | Moderate | |
| The presence of silt on fronds would reduce light available for photosynthesis and lower growth rates. However, the species naturally occurs in places of high siltation, such as estuaries, so the species is likely to be tolerant of this factor. | ||||
| Tolerant | Not relevant | Not sensitive | Moderate | |
| Chorda filum is likely to be tolerant of a reduction in suspended sediment and may even benefit from an decrease in light attenuation (see turbidity). | ||||
| High | High | Moderate | High | |
| Chorda filum is likely to be highly intolerant of desiccation since it normally occurs in the shallow sublittoral or in rock pools. Recruitment rates of the species are not known, however it has a fast growth rate and high fecundity and recovery rates are probably high. | ||||
| High | High | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chorda filum would probably be highly intolerant of an increase emergence because it cannot withstand desiccation. Recruitment rates of the species are not known, however it has a fast growth rate and high fecundity and recovery rates are probably high. | ||||
| Tolerant* | Not relevant | Not sensitive* | Low | |
| At the level of the benchmark Chorda filum is likely to be tolerant* of a decrease in emergence as the extent of the population may increase providing suitable substratum was available. | ||||
| Intermediate | High | Low | Moderate | |
| An increase in water flow may cause the substratum, with the plants attached, to be moved. If the substratum is moved to suitable conditions for growth of Chorda filum the plants will survive. However, the plants may be carried away to areas where the conditions are unsuitable for the alga's growth, for example, into areas deeper than the compensation zone for photosynthesis. In this case, the plants would die. An intolerance of intermediate has been suggested to reflect the likelihood that some plants will be lost to unsuitable areas. Recruitment rates of the species are not known, however it has a fast growth rate and high fecundity and recovery rates are probably high. | ||||
| High | High | Moderate | High | |
| A decrease in water flow at the benchmark level could result in the plants being in areas with negligible water flow. In this case, the plants would probably die (S. Kraan, pers. comm.) and therefore, intolerance has been assessed as high. Recruitment rates of the species are not known, however it has a fast growth rate and high fecundity and recovery rates are probably high. | ||||
| Low | High | Low | Low | |
| The species lives in rock pools, where it is exposed to wide fluctuations in temperature. It occurs from Spitsbergen to northern Portugal and does not appear to form ecotypes that vary in thermal response over its distribution range (Breeman, 1988). It is well within its temperature range in the UK and would probably not be affected by a change in 5 °C. | ||||
| Low | High | Low | Low | |
| The species lives in rock pools, where it is exposed to wide fluctuations in temperature. It occurs from Spitsbergen to northern Portugal and does not appear to form ecotypes that vary in thermal response over its distribution range (Breeman, 1988). It is well within its temperature range in the UK and would probably not be affected by a change in 5 °C. | ||||
| Low | Immediate | Not sensitive | Moderate | |
| Turbidity would reduce light available for photosynthesis and lower growth rates. It may also reduce the maximum depth at which Chorda filum can grow. However, at the benchmark level it is unlikely that the population would be adversely affected and, therefore, low intolerance has been suggested. On return to normal turbidity levels the growth rate would be quickly restored. | ||||
| Tolerant* | Not relevant | Not sensitive* | Not relevant | |
| A decrease in turbidity may lead to enhanced growth rate as a result of decreased light attenuation. The lower extent of the population may also be extended as the depth of compensation point for photosynthesis may also become deeper. Tolerant* has been suggested. | ||||
| High | High | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chorda filum is most common at sheltered sites. An increase in wave exposure above this could tear plants off the substratum or move the substratum with the plants attached. If the substratum was moved to conditions suitable for growth of the algae the species could continue growing. However, the substratum could be removed to deeper water where conditions are unsuitable for the alga's growth. An increase in wave exposure could also lead to a shift in the type of sediment, removing suitable substrata for Chorda filum. Recruitment rates of the species are not known, however it has a fast growth rate and high fecundity and recovery rates are probably high. | ||||
| Not relevant | Not relevant | Not relevant | Moderate | |
| Chorda filum can be found in sheltered and very sheltered habitats and, therefore, a decrease in wave exposure is not thought to be relevant. | ||||
| Tolerant | Not relevant | Not sensitive | High | |
| Seaweeds have no known mechanism for perception of noise | ||||
| Tolerant | Not relevant | Not sensitive | High | |
| Seaweeds have no known mechanism for visual perception. | ||||
| Intermediate | High | Low | Low | |
| Physical disturbance equivalent to a passing scallop dredge (see benchmark) is likely to remove a proportion of the population. Therefore, an intolerance or intermediate has been recorded. Recruitment rates of the species are not known, however it has a fast growth rate and high fecundity and recovery rates are probably high. | ||||
| High | High | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chorda filum can survive being displaced, if the substratum moves with the plants attached. Stormy weather can transport plants attached to sediment to more sheltered locations where they continue growing (South & Burrows, 1967). However, Chorda filum cannot tolerate displacement if it is removed from the substratum (see substratum loss). Recruitment rates of the species are not known, however it has a fast growth rate and high fecundity and recovery rates are probably high. | ||||
Chemical pressures
| Intolerance | Recoverability | Sensitivity | Evidence/Confidence | |
| No information | Not relevant | No information | Not relevant | |
| Other seaweeds in the same order e.g. Laminaria digitata have been shown to be of intermediate intolerance to synthetic chemical contamination. However, insufficient information was available to assess the sensitivity of Chorda filum. | ||||
| No information | Not relevant | No information | Not relevant | |
| Other seaweeds in the same order e.g. Saccharina latissima have been shown to be of intermediate intolerance to synthetic chemical contamination. However, insufficient information was available to assess the sensitivity of Chorda filum. | ||||
| No information | Not relevant | No information | Not relevant | |
| Saccharina latissima, Laminaria digitata and Laminaria hyperborea have all been assessed as being of low intolerance to hydrocarbon contamination. However, insufficient information was available to assess sensitivity. | ||||
| No information | Not relevant | No information | Not relevant | |
| Insufficient information. | ||||
| Intermediate | High | Low | Low | |
| Nutrients are essential for the growth of the alga. A decrease in nutrient levels would reduce growth rates. A slight increase in the level of nutrients may enhance growth, but high levels of nutrients may cause overgrowth of the alga by ephemeral green seaweed (Fletcher, 1996). Recruitment rates of the species are not known, however it has a fast growth rate and high fecundity and recovery rates are probably high. | ||||
| Not relevant | Not relevant | Not relevant | Moderate | |
| Chorda filum can be found in full salinity environments and therefore a further increase in salinity is unlikely. Therefore, not relevant has been recorded. | ||||
| Low | High | Low | ||
| The species is found in low salinity environments such as estuaries and the Baltic and has been successfully cultured at salinities as low as 5 psu (Norton & South, 1969). It is also found in lagoonal habitats with low salinity (for example, see biotope SIR.FChoG). However, plants from fully saline conditions decay on immersion in freshwater (Russell, 1985). Overall, intolerance has been assessed as low. Recruitment rates of the species are not known, however it has a fast growth rate and high fecundity and recovery rates are probably high. | ||||
| No information | Not relevant | No information | Not relevant | |
| Insufficient information | ||||
Biological pressures
| Intolerance | Recoverability | Sensitivity | Evidence/Confidence | |
| No information | Not relevant | No information | Not relevant | |
| Insufficient information | ||||
| Intermediate | High | Low | High | |
| The Japweed Sargassum muticum may have displaced Chorda filum from unstable habitats (Hill et al., 1998). | ||||
| Intermediate | High | Low | Low | |
| Little evidence has been found on the impact of extraction of Chorda filum. However, if removed recovery should be rapid. The species is an annual and recruitment rates are likely to be high so recovery is expected to take place within a year or two. | ||||
| No information | Not relevant | No information | Not relevant | |
| Insufficient information | ||||
Additional information
Importance review
Policy/legislation
- no data -
Status
| National (GB) importance | - | Global red list (IUCN) category | - |
Non-native
| Native | - | ||
| Origin | - | Date Arrived | - |
Importance information
Chorda filum is used fresh as a foodstuff but only in Japan.The sporophytes may support a rich epiflora and epifauna. The most common epiflora include Acrochaete repens, Bolbocoleon piliferum and Ectocarpus siliculosus. Common epifauna include Lacuna vincta, Natica spp. and Spirorbis spirorbis.The epiphytes may cause considerable damage to the sporophytes.Bibliography
Breeman, A.M., 1988. Relative importance of temperature and other factors in determining geographic boundaries of seaweeds: experimental and phenological evidence. Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen, 42, 199-241.
Fletcher, R.L., 1996. The occurrence of 'green tides' - a review. In Marine Benthic Vegetation. Recent changes and the Effects of Eutrophication (ed. W. Schramm & P.H. Nienhuis). Berlin Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag. [Ecological Studies, vol. 123].
Guiry, M.D. & Blunden, G., 1991. Seaweed Resources in Europe: Uses and Potential. Chicester: John Wiley & Sons.
Guiry, M.D. & Nic Dhonncha, E., 2002. AlgaeBase. World Wide Web electronic publication http://www.algaebase.org,
Hardy, F.G. & Guiry, M.D., 2003. A check-list and atlas of the seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. London: British Phycological Society
Norton, T.A. & South, G.R., 1969. Influence of reduced salinity on the distribution of two laminarian algae. Oikos, 20, 320-326
Russell, G., 1985. Some anatomical and physiological differences in Chorda filum from coastal waters of Finland and Great Britain. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 65, 343-349.
South, G.H. & Burrows, E.M., 1967. Studies on marine algae of the British Isles. 5. Chorda filum (l.) Stckh. British Phycological Bulletin, 3 , 379-402.
Datasets
Centre for Environmental Data and Recording, 2018. Ulster Museum Marine Surveys of Northern Ireland Coastal Waters. Occurrence dataset https://www.nmni.com/CEDaR/CEDaR-Centre-for-Environmental-Data-and-Recording.aspx accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-25.
Cofnod – North Wales Environmental Information Service, 2018. Miscellaneous records held on the Cofnod database. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/hcgqsi accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-25.
Environmental Records Information Centre North East, 2018. ERIC NE Combined dataset to 2017. Occurrence dataset: http://www.ericnortheast.org.ukl accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-38
Fenwick, 2018. Aphotomarine. Occurrence dataset http://www.aphotomarine.com/index.html Accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01
Fife Nature Records Centre, 2018. St Andrews BioBlitz 2014. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/erweal accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-27.
Fife Nature Records Centre, 2018. St Andrews BioBlitz 2015. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/xtrbvy accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-27.
Fife Nature Records Centre, 2018. St Andrews BioBlitz 2016. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/146yiz accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-27.
Kent Wildlife Trust, 2018. Kent Wildlife Trust Shoresearch Intertidal Survey 2004 onwards. Occurrence dataset: https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/ accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01.
Manx Biological Recording Partnership, 2017. Isle of Man wildlife records from 01/01/2000 to 13/02/2017. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/mopwow accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.
Manx Biological Recording Partnership, 2018. Isle of Man historical wildlife records 1995 to 1999. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/lo2tge accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.
Merseyside BioBank., 2018. Merseyside BioBank (unverified). Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/iou2ld accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.
National Trust, 2017. National Trust Species Records. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/opc6g1 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.
NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.
OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System), 2023. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2023-03-24
Outer Hebrides Biological Recording, 2018. Non-vascular Plants, Outer Hebrides. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/goidos accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 2018. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Herbarium (E). Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/ypoair accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-02.
South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre, 2018. SEWBReC Algae and allied species (South East Wales). Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/55albd accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-02.
Citation
This review can be cited as:
Last Updated: 07/11/2006
