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Bull kelp is a common name for the brown alga Nereocystis luetkeana which is a true kelp in the family Laminariaceae. Species in the genus Durvillaea are also sometimes called "bull kelp", but this is just a shortening of the common name southern bull kelp. Durvillaea is a genus in the order Fucales and, though superficially similar in ...
Nereocystis (Greek, 'mermaid's bladder') is a monotypic genus of subtidal kelp containing the species Nereocystis luetkeana. [1] Some English names include edible kelp, bull kelp, bullwhip kelp, ribbon kelp, bladder wrack, and variations of these names. [2]
The bull kelp genus Durvillaea includes six species, some that have adapted buoyancy and others that have not. Those that have adapted buoyancy have done so thanks to the evolution of a gas filled structure called the pneumatocysts which is an adaptation that allows the kelp to float higher towards the surface to photosynthesize and also aids ...
In 2012, a taxonomic revision led to the recognition of a new species, Durvillaea poha, based on genetic, morphological and ecological evidence, [3] which was previously recognised as the 'cape' lineage of Durvillaea antarctica. [3] [11] [12] D. poha is the only other species in the genus to share the honeycombed structure and buoyancy of D ...
The species is endemic to New Zealand, and is predominantly found along southern coasts of the South Island and on Stewart Island, as well as on the subantarctic Snares and Auckland Islands. [ 1 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 6 ] Based on genetic data, the species appears to have undergone a recent range expansion into the North Island, as it can be found at ...
This species is chocolate brown in colour and is darker than all other bull kelp species. [4] [5] It has a branched stipe. [3] The species is non-buoyant and does not have 'honeycomb' in its fronds. [3] [4] The holdfast becomes large and spreads like a plate on rocky substrates. [6]
Durvillaea bull kelp grow within intertidal and shallow subtidal areas, typically on rocky wave-exposed coastal sites. [15] D. antarctica and D. poha are intertidal, whereas D. willana is subtidal (to 6 m depths). [18] Intertidal species can grow at the uppermost limit of the intertidal zone if there is sufficient wave wash. [19]
The species can be confused with Durvillaea amatheiae, which has an overlapping geographic distribution. [1] [2] D. potatorum has a shorter, wider stipe with more limited lateral blade development, whereas D. amatheiae has a shorter, narrow stipe and typically prolific lateral blade development.