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seagrass lagoon index
  Online Guide to Chek Jawa
seagrass lagoon
 
Sickle seagrass
Thalassia sp.
Family Hydrocharitaceae
click for enlarged image
This seagrass is not as common but there are a few patches of it in the middle of the seagrass lagoon.

It has strap or sickle-like leaves (4-11mm wide and 10-40cm long). The seagrass has thick rhizomes (underground stems) with air channels. This firmly-anchored species can form large beds. On Chek Jawa, preliminary results of a transact survey suggest it is found mainly in the centre of the seagrass lagoon. Some studies suggest that this seagrass flowers less infrequently than other seagrasses. It also produces relatively larger fruits.

Role in the habitat: Tiny algae often grow on the leaves. Such algae are called epiphytes and are eaten by small grazing creatures like snails. As it is among the favourite food of dugongs it is sometimes also called Dugong grass.
  
click for enlarged image

click for enlarged image
Tiny algae often
grow on the leaves
quick facts
Each sickle-shaped leaf 10-40cm long. Small patches in the middle of the seagrass lagoon.
 
See also ...
Seagrasses in general

Links
Thalassia hemprichii on the University of Hawai'i website: brief fact sheet with a diagram and lots of photos of the seagrass.
Thalassia Picture Index on the University of Hawai'i website: a selection of photos of various Thalassia species found in Hawai'i

Other references
  • Calumpong, H. P. & Menez, E. G., 1997. Field Guide to the Common Mangroves, Seagrasses and Algae of the Philippines. Bookmark, Inc., the Philippines. 197 pp.
  • Hartog, C. Den. The Sea-grasses of the World, 1970. North-Holland Pub. Co., Amsterdam. 276 pp., 20 pp. of photos.
  • Lim, S., P. Ng, L. Tan, & W. Y. Chin, 1994. Rhythm of the Sea: The Life and Times of Labrador Beach. Division of Biology, School of Science, Nanyang Technological University & Department of Zoology, the National University of Singapore. 160 pp.
 

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