[Coral-List] Question about a macro algae species seen onreefs in southern Cat Island, Bahamas

[Rick Sanders]

Raphael,

That photo looks like it?

I have gotten so many responses and I haven't had a chance to write back to 
thank any of you for sending your information on the macro algae.

The photo you sent looks like a good example of the what I saw on the reefs 
in Cat Island. Quite a few other also suggested it was Microdictyon.

Who is doing work on this algae and its impacts in the Bahamas?
It seems strange that this algae is popping up in such remote locations...it 
has been suggested that currents may be carrying nutrients into these areas 
from other locations where the anthropogenic inputs of nutrients are 
greater.

What is the impact that Microdictyon is having on these reefs?  It seems to 
be overgrowing many healthy corals. It was also mentioned in other responses 
that I have gotten that this algae is seasonal. Does this mean that it's 
impact is only temporary and the impacted corals have a chance to recover 
from the infestation?

Thanks again for the great photo and information,

Rick

Rick Sanders
President
Deep Blue Solutions
610-892-5272
ricksanders at comcast.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Raphael Williams" <Williams at sms.si.edu>
To: <ricksanders at comcast.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 4:13 PM
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Question about a macro algae species seen onreefs 
in southern Cat Island, Bahamas


> Hi Rick this is probably a species of Microdictyon, I've attached a photo
> from Sweetings Key, Bahamas.  We found it there very common.  I usually 
> use
> the Littler's book "Caribbean Reef Plants" to id the common algae, it is a
> very useful guide, written by Diane Littler and Mark Littler, 2000,
> published by OffShore Graphics Inc.  I hope this helps. Cheers,Raphael
>
> Raphael Ritson-Williams
> Laboratory Technician Marine Chemical Ecology
> Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
> 701 Seaway Dr, Fort Pierce, Fl, 34949
> (772) 465-6630 x146
> williams at sms.si.edu
>
>>>> "Rick Sanders" <ricksanders at comcast.net> 02/21 1:34 PM >>>
> Dear Listers,
>
> I have spent many hours pouring over photos of macro algae trying to find
> an
> image of the algae that I saw overgrowing corals on many of the reefs I
> dived off the southern end of Cat Island in the Bahamas. I have been
> unable
> to find an image of anything close to what I observed there in July 2003.
>
> Description:  It appears to be a filamentous type algae on a greenish
> brown
> color that appears to be made up of netting (the filaments cross each
> other
> in a more or less orthogonal orientation) the netting appears to shaped
> into
> more or less spherical or roundish mats.  The filaments are aprox 2-3 mm
> in
> width. The mats are easy to dislodge from their substrate and feel as if
> to
> crinkle when crushed under pressure with ones hand.  They are overgrowing
> many types of corals in shallow and deeper reefs.
>
> I am concerned about the impact that this algae might have on the reefs
> there and want to get more information on what is happening there and the
> first logical step is to identify it if possible. If anyone has seen what
> I
> am describing and has some photos of this type of algae please send me a
> copy or link.
>
> Thanks very much in advance,
>
> Best regards,
>
> Rick
>
>
> Rick Sanders
> Deep Blue Solutions
> Media, PA
> 610-892-5272
> ricksanders at comcast.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Coral-List mailing list
> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>