Lessonia (alga)

Lessonia is a genus of large kelp native to the southern Pacific Ocean. It is restricted to the southern hemisphere and is distributed along the coasts of South America, New Zealand, Tasmania, and the Antarctic islands.[1][2] The genus was first described by Jean Baptiste Bory de Saint-Vincent in 1825.[3]

This article is about the seaweed genus. For the tyrant-flycatcher genus, see Lessonia (bird).

Lessonia
Lessonia nigrescens
Scientific classification
Clade: SAR
Phylum: Ochrophyta
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Laminariales
Family: Lessoniaceae
Genus: Lessonia
Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1825
Species

See text

This is one of two principal genera in kelp forests (the other is Macrocystis). In Chile, the preservation of Lessonia kelp is an important to help preserve the biodiversity that exists on rocky shores.[4] By studying the harvesting of these wild populations of Lessonia kelp marine biologists are able to analyze the effects of this activity on wildlife.[4]

In New Zealand there are at least four species that belong to this genus.[2] L. tholiformis is only found on the Chatham Islands.[2] L. adamsiae is only found on the Snares Islands.[2]

Some species are of economic importance, such as Lessonia nigrescens, which is harvested for alginate.[5]

Species

References
  1. Cho, G. Y.; Klochkova, N. G.; Krupnova, T. N.; Boo, S. M. (2006). "The reclassification of Lessonia laminarioides (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae): Pseudolessonia gen. nov. 1" (PDF). Journal of Phycology. 42 (6): 1289–1299. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8817.2006.00280.x. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-09-07.
  2. Nelson, W. A. (2013). New Zealand seaweeds : an illustrated guide. Wellington, New Zealand: Te Papa Press. p. 98. ISBN 9780987668813. OCLC 841897290.
  3. Searles, R. B. (1978-01-01). "The genus Lessonia Bory (Phaeophyta, Laminariales) in Southern Chile and Argentina". British Phycological Journal. 13 (4): 361–381. doi:10.1080/00071617800650421.
  4. Orostica, M. H.; Aguilera, M. A.; Donoso, G. A.; Vásquez, J. A.; Broitman, B. R. (2014). "Effect of grazing on distribution and recovery of harvested stands of Lessonia berteroana kelp in northern Chile". Marine Ecology Progress Series. 511: 71–82. doi:10.3354/meps10931. hdl:10533/137292.
  5. Venegas, M.; Tala, F.; Fonck, E.; Vásquez, J. (January 1992). "Sporangial sori on stipes of Lessonia nigrescens Bory (Laminariales, Phaeophyta): A high frequency phenomenon in intertidal populations of northern Chile". Botanica Marina. 35 (6): 573–578. doi:10.1515/botm.1992.35.6.573.


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