Document of bibliographic reference 71957

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Book/Monograph

Type of document

Dissertation

BibLvlCode

M

Title

Avrainvillea, Chlorodesmis, Halimeda, Udotea: Caulerpales (Chlorophya) van de Keniaanse kust; Avrainvillea, Chlorodesmis, Halimeda, Udotea: Caulerpales (Chlorophya) of the Kenyan coast

Abstract

The missing of a marine macroalgae flora about the Kenyan coast and properly about the whole Indian Ocean is the restricting factor for any ecological-vegetarian work of monitoring of the coast biotopes. Drawing up such floras takes up a great deal of time. During the first phase (1985-1989) as many as possible habitats were gathered. Now one group of seaweeds after the other is being studied, analyzed, drawn and described thoroughly: determination keys and definitions of biotopes are being given as well. The Caulerpales were treated as the first group because they are very representative in all tropical marine biotopes. The genus Caulerpa (13 spp. And 6 var.) was published by COPPEJANS AND BEECKMAN (1989, 1990). The Codiaceae are studied in this thesis. The genus Avrainvillea includes 4 species: A. amadelpha f. montagneana, A. nigircans, the A. obscura-erecta-complex and A. ridley. When analyzing several specimens of the species A. obscura and A. erecta the variability of the morphological and anatomical characters within this complex was found to be so great that one could not distinguish one species from the other anymore. The genus Chlorodesmis includes also 4 spp.: C. caespitosa, C. fastigiata, C. hildebrandtii and C. major. Up to now 10 spp. of the genus Halimeda have been found in Kenya: H. discoidea, H. gracilis, H. incrassate, H. macroloba, H. macrophysa and H. micronesica; H. opuntia, H. renschii, H. tuna and H. velasquezii. The genus Udotea is represented by 5 spp.: U. flabeluum, U. glaucescens, U. indica, U. javensis and U. orientalis. Of course it cannot be excluded that extra specie of genera which have already been studied will be found during further gathering, because of the fragmentary distribution of some species of seaweeds. Taking it roughly the Caulerpales flora along the Kenyan coast seems to be very rich in species because SARTONI (1974, 1979) described only 1 sp. Avrainvillea, 2 spp. Chlorodesmis, 7 spp. Halimeda and 4 spp. Udotea about the Somalian coast and JAASUND (1976) described only 1 sp. Avrainvillea, 2 spp. Chlorodesmis, 5 spp. Halimeda and 3 spp. Udotea about the coast of Tanzania. BØRGESEN (1948-1957) reported 7 spp. Avrainvillea, no Chlorodesmis, 6 spp. Halimeda and 8 spp. Udotea. About the Kenyan algae only 1 sp. Avrainvillea, 1 sp. Chlorodesmis, Halimeda macroloba, Halimeda opuntia and Udotea indica of the Codiaceae were reported by MOORJANI & SIMPSON (1986). This field guide can be very useful for interested walkers along the coast or as a first introduction during students’ practical work. But, as it is mentioned by the authors themselves (p. vii). This field guide cannot be used in scientific research.

Bibliographic citation

Verellen, A. (1990). Avrainvillea, Chlorodesmis, Halimeda, Udotea: Caulerpales (Chlorophya) van de Keniaanse kust; Avrainvillea, Chlorodesmis, Halimeda, Udotea: Caulerpales (Chlorophya) of the Kenyan coast. MSc Thesis. Rijksuniversiteit Gent. Faculteit Wetenschappen: Gent. Vol. 1 (99 P., ill.); vol. 2 (70 p., fig.) pp.

Topic

Marine