Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
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 .
A substantial die off of Durvillaea bull kelp occurred along the Kaikōura coastline following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, which caused uplift up to 6 metres. [17] [4] [43] [44] [45] The loss of Durvillaea kelp caused ecological disturbance, significantly affecting the biodiversity of the local intertidal community.
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 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.
Kelp forests are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world - they are home to a great diversity of species. Many groups, like those at the Seattle Aquarium, are studying the health, habitat, and population trends in order to understand why certain kelp (like bull kelp) thrives in some areas and not others.
The kelp floats as a raft and can travel vast distances at sea, driven by ocean currents. Kelp-associated invertebrates can be transported inside of drifting holdfasts, potentially leading to long-distance dispersal and a significant impact upon the population genetic structure of those species. [26] [27] [28] [29]
Laminariaceae is a family of brown algal seaweeds, many genera of which are popularly called "kelp". The table indicates the genera within this family. [ 1 ] The family includes the largest known seaweeds: Nereocystis and Macrocystis .
Blades from southern bull kelp (rimurapa in Māori) [1] [2] [3] species such as Durvillaea antarctica and D. poha (named after the pōhā) [4] [5] were used to construct the bags. [1] The kelp blades have a 'honeycomb' structure, [6] [7] which allows them to be split open, hollowed out (pōhā hau) and inflated into containers.