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seagrass lagoon index
  Online Guide to Chek Jawa
seagrass lagoon
 
Spiny red seaweed
Acanthophora spicifera
Family Rhodomelaceae
click for enlarged image
 
Clumps of this spiny red seaweed is sometimes seen in the seagrass lagoon. It can tolerate some exposure at low tide, so it is often found in shallow pools. In sheltered areas, it is often heavily covered in other smaller algae. It can also grow in places where it is more exposed to waves and currents.

Role in the habitat: Some fishes and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) snack on this seaweed.

Human uses: It is reported to be edible and is also fed to animals. It is said to have antibacterial, antibiotic and antifertility properties.

Status and threats: Acanthophora spicifera is an alien species introduced to Hawaii where it grows unchecked by natural predators and threatens the local habitats there. 		   
quick facts
About 15cm long, common in the seagrass lagoon
 
See also ...
Seaweeds in general

Links
Acanthophora spicifera on Plants of the Indian River Lagoon, the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce website: lots of details on the species including its biology, ecology, role in the habitat, and introduction to Hawaii.

Other references
  • Trono, G. C. Jr., 1997. Field Guide and Atlas of the Seaweed Resources of the Philippines. Bookmark, Inc., the Philippines. 306 pp.
  • 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.
  • 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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