Common sargassum (Sargassum vulgare)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Sargassum vulgare
- Common name
- Common sargassum
- Category
- Algae
- Family
- Sargassaceae
- Genus
- Sargassum
- Size
- 30–100 cm
- Depth
- 0–20 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky
- Behaviours
- sessile, photosynthetic
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Sargassum vulgare reaches 1 m. Brown alga with bushy thalli bearing small floating vesicles (pneumatocysts) and toothed tapered blades. Forms dense summer stands on shallow rocks, sparser in winter. Habitat for small juvenile fish and crustaceans. Unlike the floating ocean sargassums (S. natans, S. fluitans), our S. vulgare is strictly attached.
Photo of Common sargassum
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Common sargassum?
- Common sargassum (Sargassum vulgare) reaches 30–100 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Common sargassum?
- Common sargassum is found between 0–20 m deep.
- Is the Common sargassum dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Common sargassum?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Common sargassum?
- Found in: Caribbean, East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Sargassum
- Sargassum natans - Floating Sargassum
- Sargassum fluitans - Gulf Sargassum
- Sargassum muticum - Japanese Wireweed
- Sargassum horneri - Horner's Sargassum
- Sargassum filipendula - Filmy Sargassum
Other species in the family Sargassaceae
- Cystoseira amentacea - Mediterranean cystoseira
- Turbinaria ornata - Ornate Turbinaria
- Turbinaria conoides - Conical Turbinaria
- Cystoseira brachycarpa - Short-fruited Cystoseira
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 494801)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 3197125)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia