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M. parksii community
some bleaching

Transition zone

East side of Island at limits distribution --  “bleached” and yellowing prominent here

 

What Species is it?

  ‘Bleached’ thalli

 

appear to have been reproductive –(internal darker spots in thalli below—see area at point of inverted V). Thus ‘bleaching’ is merely shedding the cortical cells along with the reproductive units

It is often difficult to say if Mastocarpus or Mazzaella is involved (below)

 

 

Mastocarpus sp. or M parksii

What ever the genus is we can see the ‘bleaching; is associated with the reproduction --

 

Mixed assemblages? — Mastocarpus [??? (M)] (the larger blades on left, right) and M. parksii (V)
’Bleaching’ upper left etc – while “yellowing” (above ‘right’ finger may be reproduction)-area below is ‘G’ (see below)

 

Community

Endocladia, Mastocarpus, and Mazaella co-occur in suitable patches. The latter two are at limits while Endocladia continues around Southern side of Island.

I found bleaching mainly at line 2

 

Attempt one – using tapes to locate

Mostly Endocladia on Line 1

Failed attempt to document

 

The contrast between light granite rock and darker plants made digital photograph details (like reading on tape measure etc) useless (image below). Nor can we distinguish Mazzaella/ Masotcarpus from the Endocladia at this level

 

.Lesson --Either close ups or broad detail were acceptable—as below where can see outlines small colonies between lines 1 and 2

 

Attempt #2 – outlines as ‘marker’

 

At least with this site there is enough detail in community patches to recognize each in an illustration thus reducing the need for co-ordination

 

 

Colonies 1 & 2 look similar in color etc

Colony 3 has ‘bleaching’
the central ‘??’ area may be Mastocarpus

Thus lots of differences evident which can be followed over time—?

Site F

There is a slight yellowing that caught my attention (as at F below); a closer look in field showed apparently reproductive thalli (upper right where I have removed one plant) the lower right is same thalli at higher magnification showing internal dark spots (reproduction)

 

Odd shape

Thalli taken inside

and magnified—shows internal ‘spots’ and looks like upper area was ‘new growth’ from original blade (Y)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Site D

This is both the highest in intertidal and the most ‘bleached’ site. One week later (left) there is little change. Note the “D” is located beside the same group of barnacles in both images

 

 

 

 

Created by LG on 5/14/2004

Last updated on Sunday, June 06, 2004