Stellate Mastocarpus (Mastocarpus stellatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Mastocarpus stellatus
- Common name
- Stellate Mastocarpus
- Category
- Algae
- Family
- Phyllophoraceae
- Genus
- Mastocarpus
- Size
- 5–15 cm
- Depth
- 0–20 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Mastocarpus stellatus reaches 15 cm. North Atlantic & Mediterranean coastal red alga, characteristic star-shaped branching morphology. Rocky intertidal reefs (0-20 m). Common temperate coastal species. Least threatened = LC. Important French coastal species.
Photo of Stellate Mastocarpus
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Stellate Mastocarpus?
- Stellate Mastocarpus (Mastocarpus stellatus) reaches 5–15 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Stellate Mastocarpus?
- Stellate Mastocarpus is found between 0–20 m deep.
- Is the Stellate Mastocarpus dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Stellate Mastocarpus?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Stellate Mastocarpus?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Similar species
- Dictyota dichotoma - Forkweed
- Sargassum vulgare - Common sargassum
- Codium bursa - Ball alga
- Halimeda tuna - Halimeda
- Posidonia oceanica - Neptune grass
- Cymodocea nodosa - Little Neptune grass
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 145650)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2667288)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia