Cystoseira

Cystoseira
File:Chainbladder kelp (Cystoseira osmundacea).jpg
Chainbladder kelp, Cystoseira osmundacea
Scientific classification
(unranked):	SAR
Phylum:	Heterokontophyta
Class:	Phaeophyceae
Order:	Fucales
Family:	Fucaceae
Genus:	Cystoseira (L.) C.Agardh, 1820
Species
See text

Cystoseira is a genus of brown algae in the order Fucales.

Description

Cystoseira is characterized by highly differentiated basal and apical regions and the presence of catenate pneumatocysts (air-vesicles). In Cystoseira old plants have an elongated main axis, and in time the primary laterals become proportionally elongated. Their lower parts are strongly flattened into ‘foliar expansions’ or basal leaves. Fertile regions which bear conceptacles are known as receptacles. These are normally found at the tips of the branches. Their basal and apical regions are highly differentiated. They have catenate pnuematocysts (air vesicles). The aerocyst or air vesicles keep the organism erect, by causing it to float in strong currents.

Distribution

Cystoseira is one of the most widely distributed genera of the Fucales order and provides an essential habitat for many epiphytes, invertebrates, and fish. Cystoseira is found mostly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, such as the Mediterranean, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.

Bioindicators

Cystoseira depend on good water quality, and can be used for bioindication. This was discovered in a study of Cystoseira species undertaken on Menorca.

Species

The following species are listed in the World Register of Marine Species:

• Cystoseira abies-marina (S.G.Gmelin) C.Agardh, 1820
• Cystoseira algeriensis Feldmann, 1945
• Cystoseira amentacea (C.Agardh) Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1832
• Cystoseira baccata (S.G.Gmelin) P.C.Silva, 1952
• Cystoseira barbata (Stackhouse) C.Agardh, 1820
• Cystoseira barbatula Kützing
• Cystoseira brachycarpa J.Agardh, 1896
• Cystoseira compressa (Esper) Gerloff & Nizamuddin, 1975
• Cystoseira corniculata (Turner) Zanardini, 1841
• Cystoseira crassipes (Mertens ex Turner) C.Agardh, 1821
• Cystoseira crinita Duby, 1830
• Cystoseira crinitophylla Ercegovic, 1952
• Cystoseira dubia Valiante
• Cystoseira elegans Sauvageau, 1912
• Cystoseira foeniculacea (Linnaeus) Greville, 1830
• Cystoseira funkii Schiffner ex Gerloff & Nizamuddin, 1976
• Cystoseira geminata C.Agardh, 1824
• Cystoseira hakodatensis (Yendo) Fensholt, 1952
• Cystoseira helvetica Heer, 1877
• Cystoseira humilis Schousboe ex Kützing, 1860
• Cystoseira hyblaea G.Giaccone, 1985
• Cystoseira indica (Thivy & Doshi) Mairh, 1968
• Cystoseira jabukae Ercegovic, 1952
• Cystoseira mauritanica Sauvageau, 1911
• Cystoseira mediterranea Sauvageau, 1912
• Cystoseira montagnei J.Agardh, 1842
• Cystoseira neglecta Setchell & N.L.Gardner, 1917
• Cystoseira nodicaulis (Withering) M.Roberts, 1967
• Cystoseira osmundacea (Turner) C.Agardh, 1820
• Cystoseira pelagosae Ercegovic, 1952
• Cystoseira planiramea Schiffner
• Cystoseira platyclada Sauvageau, 1912
• Cystoseira rayssiae E.Ramon, 2000
• Cystoseira sauvageauana G.Hamel, 1939
• Cystoseira sauvageaueana G.Hamel, 1939
• Cystoseira schiffneri G.Hamel, 1939
• Cystoseira sedoides (Desfontaines) C.Agardh, 1820
• Cystoseira selaginioides
• Cystoseira setchellii N.L.Gardner, 1913
• Cystoseira sonderi (Kützing) Piccone
• Cystoseira spinosa Sauvageau, 1912
• Cystoseira squarrosa De Notaris, 1841
• Cystoseira susanensis Nizamuddin, 1985
• Cystoseira tamariscifolia (Hudson) Papenfuss, 1950
• Cystoseira trinodis (Forsskål) C.Agardh, 1820
• Cystoseira usneoides (Linnaeus) M.Roberts, 1968
• Cystoseira wildpretii Nizamuddin, 1995
• Cystoseira wildprettii Nizamuddin
• Cystoseira zosteroides C.Agardh, 1820