Alaria marginata
Alaria marginata, the winged kelp, is a brown alga species in the genus Alaria. It can grow up to 13 feet. Fronds are long and narrow with raised midrib and wavy edges. Each frond has two rows of several smooth, oblong, 5 inch spore-bearing blades at the base in winter. The base is attached to rocks.[1]
| Alaria marginata | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) | |
| Alaria marginata, offshore Big Sur, Monterey Bay NMS | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Clade: | SAR |
| Phylum: | Ochrophyta |
| Class: | Phaeophyceae |
| Order: | Laminariales |
| Family: | Alariaceae |
| Genus: | Alaria |
| Species: | A. marginata |
| Binomial name | |
| Alaria marginata | |
According to a study done by Widdowson(1971), the kelp Alaria marginata has been known to occupy certain wave-exposed intertidal habitats. These habitats can be found in the northeast Pacific from Alaska to near Point Conception, California. Alaria marginata has been the dominant macroalga on this exposed mid-to-low rocky shores along the Big Sur coast of California. [2]
In the kelp species Alaria marginata, phenolics act as chemical defence against herbivores.[3]
References
- Alden, P. and Heath, F. (1998). National Audubon Society Field Guide to California. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 87.
- A taxonomic revision of the genus Alaria Greville. Widdowson, T.B., Syesis, 1971, Volume 4, pages 11-49.
- Algal Chemical Defense Against Herbivores: Allocation of Phenolic Compounds in the Kelp Alaria marginata. Peter D. Steinberg, Science, 27 January 1984, Volume 223, number 4634, pages 405-407, doi:10.1126/science.223.4634.405
Further reading
- Kellogg, Joshua; Grace, Mary; Lila, Mary Ann (22 October 2014). "Phlorotannins from Alaskan Seaweed Inhibit Carbolytic Enzyme Activity". Marine Drugs. 12 (10): 5277–5294. doi:10.3390/md12105277. PMC 4210899. PMID 25341030. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
- McConnico, Laurie A.; Foster, Michael S. (Oct 28, 2005). "Population biology of the intertidal kelp, Alaria magnet Postels and Ruprecht". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 324 (1): 61–75. doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2005.04.006.
- Kellogg, Joshua; Lila, Mary Ann (20 November 2013). "Chemical and in Vitro Assessment of Alaskan Coastal Vegetation Antioxidant Capacity". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 61 (46): 11025–11032. doi:10.1021/jf403697z. PMID 24147955.
- McConnico, Laurie A.; Foster, Michael S. (28 October 2005). "Population biology of the intertidal kelp, Alaria marginata Postels and Ruprecht: A non-fugitive annual". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 324 (1): 61–75. doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2005.04.006.