I've heard these macroalgae referred to around here as "sailor's eyeball."
Balls!
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I think I like that one above the othersQuero:
Rick
JaxDvr
Guest
Buble algae has a soft tissue on the outside and grows too rapidly for all the calcific algae growth. I do not think it is buble agae, besides, algaes prefer nitrogen rich water, it is often found in aquariums. I would asume that there is little polution as the water apears quite clear.
Just my $0.02
Just my $0.02
This species belongs to the Ulvophyceae clade, which doesn't impregnate its thallus with calcium carbonate. It does belong in the Siphonocladales lower taxon, which contains many species commonly referred to as "bubble algae". Dictyosphaeria and Valonia, specifically. I'm not sure if the term is applied to other groups, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was.
The Dictyosphaeria and Valonia genera are well known for rapid growth in areas where nitrogen loading is high. I don't know if the same holds true for Ventricaria... it's growth habit is far more cryptic, anyway.
If my students bring me this species, I'll have them put it in their mouth and pop it like a grape. They get a big kick out of that.
The Dictyosphaeria and Valonia genera are well known for rapid growth in areas where nitrogen loading is high. I don't know if the same holds true for Ventricaria... it's growth habit is far more cryptic, anyway.
If my students bring me this species, I'll have them put it in their mouth and pop it like a grape. They get a big kick out of that.
JaxDvr - you are probably correct to say there is no pollution in the waters where I found that growing. The photo was taken off a small island, in the middle of the ocean with only a few hundred people living on it - and no factories. Also no evidence to me of crop growing so I doubt runoff's would be a factor.
Also, strong currents rip along that shoreline so I'm sure any runoff would be quickly dispersed into the wider Pacific ocean.
Also, strong currents rip along that shoreline so I'm sure any runoff would be quickly dispersed into the wider Pacific ocean.
mikerault
Contributor
Put it in their mouth? What does it taste like...
Mike
Mike
Tangy seawater.
Just don't swallow the things... it's hard to keep track of which species have toxins, nasty secondary metabolites, or simply coexist with weird stuff.
I only eat a handful of macroalgal species, personally. Caulerpa racemosa isn't too bad... hey I just remembered that that's often called a bubble alga. I knew there were other examples.
Just don't swallow the things... it's hard to keep track of which species have toxins, nasty secondary metabolites, or simply coexist with weird stuff.
I only eat a handful of macroalgal species, personally. Caulerpa racemosa isn't too bad... hey I just remembered that that's often called a bubble alga. I knew there were other examples.
mikerault
Contributor
A picture of my balls in Curacao...they actually looked like silver balls, the picture doesn't really capture their color...the DM freaked when I touched one to see what it felt like...:light:
Mike
Mike
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mikerault:A picture of my balls in Curacao...they actually looked like silver balls, the picture doesn't really capture their color...the DM freaked when I touched one to see what it felt like...:light:
Mike
Might be because he thought that by touching it you could possibly impart some type of physical damage to it that would cause it injury or death?
the K
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