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For earlier materials see
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Fucus taxonomy

Fucus extremely variable

From morphology to DNA

these are from shore transct – one on right is almost subtidal while one in middle is upper intertidal – Number 2 shows why called ‘pop weed’ or ‘bladder wrack’

Page illustrates some of the variability of Fucus – from sewer outfall to estuary Hays Creek

 

Has been treated as single species for last 50 years – changes might be coming

 

‘Rapidly evolving’ see paper below – but different DNA ‘markers’ will have to be used

 

Sewer outfall wall

While not shown here in detail – higher ones small – mid ones with gas bladder and lower ones often flat and look to be many years old

 

Hays Creek Estuary

Both these are same speicies as above – Fucus ability to grown in almost fresh water – and often unattached makes for some strange looking plants --- usually considered to be sterile and the ‘fertilized eggs’ coming form near by populations on rocks

 

One on left was attached to a rock

Number 2 was growing unattached --- 1 is more typical with dichotomous divisions of blade etc

 

 

Fucus distichus

A recent (2006) DNA paper shows that the main center of Fucus distichus is the Pacific – which is some ironic because the ‘type’ location is presumably Europe (Linnaeus named it and that is the rule—first named collection is ‘type) –but the DNA showed that one to be least variable – while Pacific one (which was until last year treated as a sub-species of Atlantic entity—or as a unique species in Pacific ) – has 9X more ‘haplotype’ variability --- -- in fact it was the ancestor of 4 different Atlantic species  -- DNA paper online and readable --- full taxonomic hierarchy here

Created by LG on 22/7/2007

Last updated on Sunday, July 22, 2007