Peacock's tail (Padina pavonica)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Padina pavonica
- Common name
- Peacock's tail
- Category
- Algae
- Family
- Dictyotaceae
- Genus
- Padina
- Size
- 5–15 cm
- Depth
- 0–15 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky
- Behaviours
- sessile, photosynthetic
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Padina pavonica is a brown alga of 5 to 15 cm forming fan or funnel-shaped thalli with characteristic concentric bands alternating light brown and calcified white. Common on shallow rocks and tidal zones of the Mediterranean and nearby Atlantic. Hosts many small invertebrates. Photogenic, visible clumps from the surface while snorkeling.
Photo of Peacock's tail
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Peacock's tail?
- Peacock's tail (Padina pavonica) reaches 5–15 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Peacock's tail?
- Peacock's tail is found between 0–15 m deep.
- Is the Peacock's tail dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Peacock's tail?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Peacock's tail?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Dictyotaceae
- Dictyota dichotoma - Forkweed
- Lobophora variegata - Variegated Fan Algae
- Stypopodium zonale - Zoned Stypopodium
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 145385)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 3200186)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia