ID : Seaweed species.

[Andrew C]

Evening,

During a feeble attempt at some fishing off Budleigh Salterton in Devon yesterday I kept bringing in lots of sea weed and one was intriguing. I have attached some images.

I have five or six books on the coastal stuff and have not been able to find a good match for this one. Is anyone able to shed any light on this for me please?

Regards,
Andrew.

[Dillybythesea]

First of all I thought I recognised it, but since then have changed my mind a dozen times, and am now wondering about Sargassum muticum? I believe the flatish annual laterals aren't present all year, and hence it has a very different look.

But still in the back of my mind I have another seaweed entirely... how frustrating! I hope someone else comes along soon!

[Andrew C]

Originally Posted by Dillybythesea

First of all I thought I recognised it, but since then have changed my mind a dozen times, and am now wondering about Sargassum muticum? I believe the flatish annual laterals aren't present all year, and hence it has a very different look.

But still in the back of my mind I have another seaweed entirely... how frustrating! I hope someone else comes along soon!

Thanks for responding Dilly. I cam across one or two 'lookalikes' in the books but never felt totally convinced. I shall try to visit the libraries soon to see if there are any more books I can refer to.

Regards,
Andrew.

[Dillybythesea]

Originally Posted by Andrew C

I shall try to visit the libraries soon to see if there are any more books I can refer to.

Regards,
Andrew.

Well please do post your conclusion! In my head is the voice of a lovely lady (who guides field trips of the seashore) telling us the way to remember this one (if it IS this one) is to hold it up and see how it looks like washing hanging on the line. Hmmmm, sort of worked, and yet. (I may even have to email her tomorrow!) ATB, Rhona

[Dillybythesea]

PS Her training worked better than I thought! From your pics (albeit pasted into an email, so not as nicely clear), Jenny, too, thinks Sargassum muticum.

She commented: "The reason it is not in all the books is that it is an alien, introduced in the early 70s from Japan on oysters. Many books were written before that but the modern ones include it as it is now very common in many areas. It is a bit hard to be sure from a photo, especially when it is not spread out but I’m pretty sure."

However, if you subsequently come across some other brilliant idea, do say!

[Andrew C]

Originally Posted by Dillybythesea

PS Her training worked better than I thought! From your pics (albeit pasted into an email, so not as nicely clear), Jenny, too, thinks Sargassum muticum.

She commented: "The reason it is not in all the books is that it is an alien, introduced in the early 70s from Japan on oysters. Many books were written before that but the modern ones include it as it is now very common in many areas. It is a bit hard to be sure from a photo, especially when it is not spread out but I’m pretty sure."

However, if you subsequently come across some other brilliant idea, do say!

Thanks ever so much for coming back with that. My local library was very poorly equipped so I shall try Exeter as soon as I can.

Regards,
Andrew.

[Andrew C]

Originally Posted by Dillybythesea

PS Her training worked better than I thought! From your pics (albeit pasted into an email, so not as nicely clear), Jenny, too, thinks Sargassum muticum.

She commented: "The reason it is not in all the books is that it is an alien, introduced in the early 70s from Japan on oysters. Many books were written before that but the modern ones include it as it is now very common in many areas. It is a bit hard to be sure from a photo, especially when it is not spread out but I’m pretty sure."

However, if you subsequently come across some other brilliant idea, do say!

Hello again,

I have read up on this species of seaweed in Fish & Fish and I am entirely confident now that this is Sargassum muticum. Thanks for your help.

Regards,
Andrew.