The Marine Life Information Network

Information on the biology of species and the ecology of habitats found around the coasts and seas of the British Isles

Navigation

Furbelows (Saccorhiza polyschides)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

Saccorhiza polyschides is kelp species with a distinctive large warty holdfast and a flattened stipe with a frilly margin. The stipe is twisted at the base and widens to form a large flat lamina, which is divided into ribbon-like sections. The species is an annual, and very fast growing. It is opportunistic and colonizes available hard substrata in the sublittoral.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Recorded from the all coasts of Britain and Ireland, but absent from Northumberland to the Solent.

Global distribution

Furbelows' recorded distribution extends from Ghana northwards along the European coastline, with the most northerly recorded location at Rorvik, Norway. It has also been reported in the Eastern Mediterranean extending to the Greek coastline, and Italy.

Habitat

Saccorhiza polyschides grows from extreme low water springs to a depth of 35 m. It normally attaches to rocks but is occasionally found loose-lying on small stones or shells. It can form dense stands in sheltered areas and can tolerate strong currents.

Depth range

0 -35m

Identifying features

  • Stipe flat, broad with conspicuously frilled margin and twisted at base.
  • Wide frond, without midrib and divided into ribbon-like sections.
  • Large bulbous holdfast with warty appearance.
  • Up to 4 m in length.

Additional information

No text entered

Listed by

- none -

Further information sources

Search on:

Biology review

Taxonomy

PhylumOchrophyta
ClassPhaeophyceae
OrderTilopteridales
FamilyPhyllariaceae
GenusSaccorhiza
Authority(Lightfoot) Batters, 1902
Recent SynonymsSaccorhiza bulbosa (Lightfoot) Batters, 1902Laminaria polyschides

Biology

Typical abundanceModerate density
Male size range
Male size at maturity
Female size rangeLarge(>50cm)
Female size at maturity
Growth formForest
Growth rate145mm/week
Body flexibility
Mobility
Characteristic feeding methodAutotroph
Diet/food source
Typically feeds on
Sociability
Environmental positionEpilithic
DependencyIndependent.
SupportsNo information
Is the species harmful?No

Biology information

  • Saccorhiza polyschides is a fast growing, annual and opportunistic species. The obvious plant is a gender-less sporophyte which grows up to 4 m long and may grow at 2 m a month at the peak of the growth season in late spring. The large sporophytes are present on the shore from May until winter. In autumn they commence fruiting and start to decay, leaving behind the bulbous holdfast, which remains on the shore until it is washed off in late winter.
  • The unusual holdfast of Saccorhiza polyschides is formed from a hollow bulbous growth above the sapling holdfast which expands to overwhelm it, sending out secondary haptera to attach to the substratum.
  • The shape of the frond varies with the degree and nature of water movement. In sites of low water current plants produce broad undivided fronds, while those in areas of strong currents have long deeply divided fronds. Plants from wave exposed locations have short fronds divided into few sections. Experiments have shown that these variations are due to phenotypic rather than genotypic variation (Norton, 1978).

Habitat preferences

Physiographic preferencesOpen coast, Offshore seabed, Strait / sound, Sea loch / Sea lough, Ria / Voe
Biological zone preferencesSublittoral fringe, Upper infralittoral
Substratum / habitat preferencesBedrock, Cobbles, Large to very large boulders, Pebbles, Small boulders
Tidal strength preferencesModerately Strong 1 to 3 knots (0.5-1.5 m/sec.), Strong 3 to 6 knots (1.5-3 m/sec.), Very Strong > 6 knots (>3 m/sec.), Very Weak (negligible), Weak < 1 knot (<0.5 m/sec.)
Wave exposure preferencesExtremely sheltered, Moderately exposed, Sheltered, Ultra sheltered, Very sheltered
Salinity preferencesFull (30-40 psu)
Depth range0 -35m
Other preferencesNo text entered
Migration PatternNon-migratory / resident

Habitat Information

  • Saccorhiza polyschides colonizes abraded surfaces such as sand-scoured rocks or boulders that are mobile in winter and is characteristic of much disturbed substrata.
  • Plants grow to a maximum depth of 35 metres in Cornwall. The lower depth limit of the plants may be controlled by grazing from the sea urchin Echinus esculentus. When urchins have been removed, the lower limit of Saccorhiza polyschides has been found to extend by 3m.
  • The species is not found in areas of reduced salinity. Lowered salinity reduces the rate of development and growth is irreversibly inhibited below 9 psu. The species competes for space with Laminaria hyperborea and the upper limit of Saccorhiza polyschides is related to the lower limit of Laminaria hyperborea. Where Laminaria hyperborea is absent the species may extend up to the extreme low water springs mark.

Life history

Adult characteristics

Reproductive typeAlternation of generations
Reproductive frequency Semelparous / monotely
Fecundity (number of eggs)No information
Generation time<1 year
Age at maturity8-14 months
SeasonOctober - May
Life span<1 year

Larval characteristics

Larval/propagule type-
Larval/juvenile development Spores (sexual / asexual)
Duration of larval stage< 1 day
Larval dispersal potential 100 -1000 m
Larval settlement periodInsufficient information

Life history information

  • Saccorhiza polyschides has a typical Laminarian life history in which a macroscopic diploid sporophyte alternates with a microscopic haploid gametophyte.
  • The species is an annual. Sporophytes typically have a lifespan of less than 10 months. However, plants produced late in the season may overwinter and live for 14-16 months.
  • The base of the lamina, the stipe frills and the bulb are covered in unilocular sporangia, which produce zoospores by meiosis. Each sporangia contains 128 zoospores. The flagellated zoospores are about 5 microns in diameter and possess an eyespot which makes them strongly phototactic. The zoospores may be transported at least 200 m from the parent and they loose their flagella after 24 hrs and settle on the available substrata. 75% of the zoospores settle on the substrata with 24 hours.
  • The zoospores develop into microscopic dioecious gametophytes. Gametophytes take the form of unicellular or filamentous structures. The male gametophytes are more branched than the females and have more numerous, smaller and paler cells. These become fertile in under 10 days in optimal conditions. Male gametophytes release motile sperm that fertilize eggs of female gametophytes, the resultant zygote develops into the new sporophyte.

Sensitivity reviewHow is sensitivity assessed?

Physical pressures

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence/Confidence
Substratum loss
 High High Moderate Moderate
Saccorhiza polyschides is permanently attached to the substratum so will be removed upon substratum loss. Experiments have shown that Saccorhiza polyschides colonizes cleared areas of the substratum within 26 weeks. However, if clearance takes place in August, when no spores of the species are released, the substratum may become colonized by red algae potentially blocking colonization by Saccorhiza polyschides (Kain, 1975).
Smothering
 Low Immediate Not sensitive Low
Smothering could reduce light availability and therefore lower growth rates of the sporophyte but would not damage the plant. The microscopic sporophytes and gametophytes are likely to be more intolerant and if smothered growth would be inhibited, except on vertical surfaces where development appears to be unaffected (Norton, 1978).
Increase in suspended sediment
 Intermediate High Low Low
Siltation is unlikely to affect the adult sporophytes but microscopic juvenile stages may be harmed. Norton (1978) observed that when spores settled on silt they continued development but failed to form attachments and would be easily washed off. Silt settling out on already attached spores prevented the formation of gametophytes and sporophytes. However, Birkett et al. (1998b), states that the species is found in areas of siltation and Santos (1993) observed that Saccorhiza polyschides is abundant in areas of high siltation, so the species may tolerate siltation. Recovery should be high because experiments have shown that Saccorhiza polyschides colonizes cleared areas of the substratum within 26 weeks. However, if clearance takes place in August, when no spores of the species are released the substratum may become colonized by red algae (Kain, 1975).
Decrease in suspended sediment
 No information
Desiccation
 High High Moderate Moderate
The species is intolerant of desiccation. Norton (1970) observed that when sporophytes were exposed to air by an extreme low water springs on a hot summers day, they rapidly dried out and died. An increase in the level of desiccation would depress the upper limit of the species distribution. Recovery should be high because experiments have shown that Saccorhiza polyschides colonizes cleared areas of the substratum within 26 weeks and it has a very fast growth rate. However, if clearance takes place in August, when no spores of the species are released the substratum may become colonized by red algae (Kain, 1975).
Increase in emergence regime
 High High Moderate Moderate
Saccorhiza polyschides is intolerant of aerial exposure. Norton (1970) observed that when sporophytes were exposed to air by an extreme low water spring tide on a hot summers day, they rapidly dried out and died. An increase in the period of emersion would depress the upper limit of the species distribution. Recovery should be high because experiments have shown that Saccorhiza polyschides colonizes cleared areas of the substratum within 26 weeks and it has a very fast growth rate. However, if clearance takes place in August, when no spores of the species are released the substratum may become colonized by red algae (Kain, 1975).
Decrease in emergence regime
 No information
Increase in water flow rate
 Low High Low Moderate
Saccorhiza polyschides occurs in a wide range of water flow rates. It is found in areas of high water flow such as rapids in Lough Hyne (Ine), Ireland, but also grows in almost stationary water, where it can form extensive loose-lying populations in the absence of turbulence (Norton, 1978). The species is therefore unlikely to be affected by a change in water flow.
Decrease in water flow rate
 No information
Increase in temperature
 Intermediate High Low Moderate
The minimum temperature required for growth and reproduction of Saccorhiza polyschides is 5 degrees C and the maximum temperature is 23 degrees C. The 'northern lethal boundary' of the species occurs where the temperature falls below 4 degrees C for a period of 2 months and the southern lethal boundary occurs where temperatures rise above 25 degrees C for more than a few weeks (Hoek van den, 1982). The species is in the middle of its geographic range in the UK so is unlikely to be affected by a change of 2 degrees C for a year. However, a change in 5 degrees may put the species outside its lethal limits damaging the plant. Recovery should be high because the species has a fast growth rate and rapidly colonizes cleared areas of the substratum.
Decrease in temperature
 No information
Increase in turbidity
 Low High Low Low
Light penetration influences the depth at which kelps can grow. An increase in turbidity would reduce light available for photosynthesis, lower growth rates and result in a decrease of the maximum depth at which it could grow. A reduction in the turbidity levels would allow Saccorhiza polyschides to grow at greater depths but the upper limit of the species distribution would be depressed due to increased competition with Laminaria hyperborea. On return to normal turbidity levels the growth rate and depth distribution would be quickly resumed
Decrease in turbidity
 No information
Increase in wave exposure
 Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Moderate
Saccorhiza polyschides is found at all wave exposures (Hawkins & Jones, 1992) so is not likely to be intolerant of this factor. Increases in wave exposure which cause substrata to be mobilized and for abrasion to occur might be favourable to Saccorhiza.
Decrease in wave exposure
 No information
Noise
 Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Moderate
Seaweeds have no known mechanism for the perception of noise.
Visual presence
 Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Moderate
Seaweeds have no known mechanism for visual perception.
Abrasion & physical disturbance
 Intermediate High Low Moderate
The fronds of Saccorhiza polyschides could be damaged by abrasion and gametophytes could be crushed. A passing scallop dredge or anchor is likely to rip off the plant and its holdfast, and remove a proportion of the population. Therefore, intolerance has been assessed as intermediate. However, the species has a fast growth rate, settles and grows to full size annually and, therefore, recovers very quickly from disturbance.
Displacement
 Low Very high Very Low Moderate
Transplantation experiments have shown that plants can be transplanted to other sites with the rocks that they are attached to, with no adverse effects (Norton, 1978). The species could not tolerate displacement if the attachment to the rock was broken.

Chemical pressures

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence/Confidence
Synthetic compound contamination
 Intermediate High Low Very low
The effects of chemicals on Saccorhiza polyschides have not been studied. Laminaria hyperborea, a related species of kelp, is thought to be fairly robust in terms of chemical pollution (Holt et al., 1995). Both species contain alginates which seem capable of storing chemicals in inert forms. However, it is likely that the gametophytes and very young sporophytes are more intolerant. Hopkin & Kain (1978) observed that growth of gametophytes and very young sporophytes of Laminaria hyperborea was inhibited at low levels of atrazine, sodium pentachlorophenate and phenol.
Heavy metal contamination
 Intermediate High Low Very low
The effects of heavy metals on Saccorhiza polyschides have not been studied. Laminaria hyperborea, a related species of kelp, is thought to be fairly robust in terms of chemical pollution (Holt et al., 1995). Both species contain alginates which seem capable of storing metals in inert forms. However, it is likely that the gametophytes and very young sporophytes are more intolerant. Hopkin & Kain (1978) observed that growth of gametophytes and very young sporophytes of Laminaria hyperborea was inhibited at low levels of mercury, cadmium, copper and zinc.
Hydrocarbon contamination
 Low High Low Very low
A number of workers have reported little effect of oil on sublittoral kelp, due to the lack of penetration of oil into the water column (Holt et al., 1995). Drew et al. (1967) recorded that the kelp forest escaped undamaged after the 'Torrey Canyon' oil spillage. Kelp may also be protected by the mucilaginous slime which covers the frond, by preventing damage from coating by oil (Birkett et al., 1998b). No studies have been carried out specifically on the impact on Saccorhiza polyschides but the alga is probably tolerant of this factor. Recovery rates would be high due to the fast growth rate of the species and its ability to rapidly colonize cleared areas of the substratum.
Radionuclide contamination
 No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Changes in nutrient levels
 Low High Low Very low
Nutrients are required for algal growth. A slight increase in nutrient levels may enhance growth rates but a large increase may have a detrimental effect. Eutrophication could reduce the lower depth limit of the species distribution by reducing light penetration through an increase in turbidity. There may also be increased competition with mussels for available substratum space and plants may be overgrown by ephemeral green algae (Birkett et al.,1998b). However, Saccorhiza polyschides has a very fast growth rate and can probably effectively compete with these species, so it is only has low intolerance to this factor and recovery rates would be high.
Increase in salinity
 High High Moderate High
Saccorhiza polyschides is not found in areas of reduced salinity. In culture, lowered salinities have been found to reduce growth rate and development is irreversibly inhibited below 9 psu (Norton & South, 1969), so the species is regarded as highly intolerant of this factor. Recovery rates should be high because the species has a high growth rate and quickly colonizes cleared areas of the substratum (Kain, 1975).
Decrease in salinity
 No information
Changes in oxygenation
 Low High Low Very low
The effect of low oxygen levels on kelp is poorly studied. Saccorhiza polyschides can grow in almost stationary water (Norton, 1978) and can generate its own oxygen by photosynthesis, so it is likely to tolerate changes in this factor. The species can quickly recover from disturbance as it has a fast growth rate and rapidly colonizes cleared areas of the substratum (Kain, 1975).

Biological pressures

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence/Confidence
Introduction of microbial pathogens/parasites
 No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Introduction of non-native species
 Intermediate High Low Low
The Japanese kelp Undaria pinnatifida has recently spread to the south coast of England from Brittany, where it was introduced for aquaculture. It is thought that Undaria may compete with Saccorhiza polyschides (Birkett et al., 1998b). The potential introduction of Macrocystis spp. from America could have an enormous impact on native kelps due to the very fast growth rate of the species.
Extraction of this species
 Intermediate Very high Low Moderate
Saccorhiza polyschides has a fast growth rate and rapidly colonizes cleared areas of the substratum, so it would be able to quickly recover from harvesting.
Extraction of other species
 Tolerant* Not relevant Not sensitive* Moderate
Grazing urchins, such as Echinus esculentus and Paracentrotus lividus are important in determining the lower depth limit of Saccorhiza polyschides. The removal of these species may enable Saccorhiza to grow at greater depths, for example Kain & Jones (1966) found that removal of grazing urchins at Port Erin, Isle of Man, enabled Saccorhiza polyschides to extend its depth range by 3 m. Likewise, the upper limit of the species distribution is related to Laminaria hyperborea and the extraction of this species would enable Saccorhiza to grow in shallower water. Where beds of Laminaria hyperborea or Laminaria digitata have been cleared, they are usually replaced by Saccorhiza polyschides (Norton, 1970).

Additional information

Importance review

Policy/legislation

- no data -

Status

Non-native

Importance information

Saccorhiza polyschides is not harvested for alginate production at present, but may be of interest in the future because of its high growth rate. The culture of this species has been undertaken experimentally, without successful results (Guiry & Blunden, 1991). The sporophytes of Saccorhiza polyschides support rich communities of epifauna and epiflora. However, no species are known to be confined to Saccorhiza polyschides. The holdfasts of Saccorhiza polyschides are known to shelter large animals such as large polychaetes, squat lobsters and fish which shelter inside the bulbous holdfast, while amphipods, brittle stars and polychaetes occur in the space between the base of the bulb and the rock surface to which it is attached (McKenzie & Moore, 1981). The composition of the epifauna and epiflora varies with the degree of water current that the plant is exposed to (Ebling et al., 1948). The fronds are grazed by urchins such as Echinus esculentus and Paracentrotus lividus, and the blue-rayed limpet Patella pellucida

Bibliography

  1. Birkett, D.A., Maggs, C.A., Dring, M.J. & Boaden, P.J.S., 1998b. Infralittoral reef biotopes with kelp species: an overview of dynamic and sensitivity characteristics for conservation management of marine SACs. Natura 2000 report prepared by Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS) for the UK Marine SACs Project., Scottish Association for Marine Science. (UK Marine SACs Project, vol VI.), 174 pp. Available from: http://ukmpa.marinebiodiversity.org/uk_sacs/pdfs/reefkelp.pdf

  2. Ebling, F.J., Kitching, J.A., Purchon, R.D. & Bassingdale, R., 1948. The ecology of Lough Ine rapids with special reference to water currents. 2. The fauna of the Saccorhiza canopy. Journal of Animal Ecology, 17, 223-244.

  3. Guiry, M.D. & Blunden, G., 1991. Seaweed Resources in Europe: Uses and Potential. Chicester: John Wiley & Sons.

  4. Guiry, M.D. & Nic Dhonncha, E., 2002. AlgaeBase. World Wide Web electronic publication http://www.algaebase.org,

  5. Hardy, F.G. & Guiry, M.D., 2003. A check-list and atlas of the seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. London: British Phycological Society

  6. Hawkins, S. J. & Jones, H. D., 1992. Rocky Shores. London: Immel.

  7. Hopkin, R. & Kain, J.M., 1978. The effects of some pollutants on the survival, growth and respiration of Laminaria hyperborea. Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science, 7, 531-553.

  8. Kain, J.M. & Jones, N.S., 1966. Algal colonisation after removal of Echinus. Proceedings of the International Seaweed Symposium, 8, 139-140.

  9. Kain, J.M., 1975a. Algal recolonization of some cleared subtidal areas. Journal of Ecology, 63, 739-765.

  10. McKenzie, J.D. & Moore, P.G., 1981. The microdistribution of animals associated with the bulbous holdfasts of Saccorhiza polyschides (Phaeophyta). Ophelia, 20, 201-213.

  11. Norton, T.A. & Burrows, E.M., 1969. Studies on marine algae of the British Isles. 7. Saccorhiza polyschides (Lightf.) Batt. British Phycological Journal, 4, 19-53.

  12. Norton, T.A. & South, G.R., 1969. Influence of reduced salinity on the distribution of two laminarian algae. Oikos, 20, 320-326

  13. Norton, T.A., 1970. Synopsis of biological data on Saccorhiza polyschides. FAO Fisheries Synopsis, No. 83, 1-35.

  14. Norton, T.A., 1978. The factors influencing the distribution of Saccorhiza polyschides in the region of Lough Ine. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 58, 527-536.

  15. Santos, R., 1993. A multivariate study of biotic and abiotic relationships in a subtidal algal stand. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 94, 181-190.

  16. Van den Hoek, C., 1982. The distribution of benthic marine algae in relation to the temperature regulation of their life histories. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 18, 81-144.

Datasets

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Fenwick, 2018. Aphotomarine. Occurrence dataset http://www.aphotomarine.com/index.html Accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01

  4. 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.

  5. Manx Biological Recording Partnership, 2018. Isle of Man historical wildlife records 1990 to 1994. Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/aru16v accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  6. 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.

  7. National Trust, 2017. National Trust Species Records. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/opc6g1 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  8. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  9. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2023. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2023-06-07

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

Citation

This review can be cited as:

White, N. 2008. Saccorhiza polyschides Furbelows. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 07-06-2023]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1370

 Download PDF version

Last Updated: 29/05/2008