Cutleria multifida

Neil Watson Could someone let me know what seaweed this is. Also there is red/pink blotches on the seaweed. Does anyone know what this might be? It was located near the wreck of the Louis Sheild, South Devon in about 5m of water. It was on the rocky reef just next to the wreck.

Sarah Bowen Probably Dictyota dichotoma, the so-called narrow version. No idea what the pink blotches are - reproductive bits or other algae growing on it?

Nick Owen On balance of probability it's Dic dic but beware Dic spiralis if shallow. Not got my head round how to separate the two beyond Dic spiralis being spirally, very fine and shallow as I have seen very fine, spirally Dictyota in over 20 m.

Sarah Bowen Neil is really going to regret having asked, at this rate! I had no idea that D. spiralis was a separate species - like you, I've seen some very curly looking Dic dic. Ho hum...

Neil Watson It was shallow (about 5m), I could put down Dictyota sp if nobody is sure. Thanks so far.

Jane Pottas Is there a fine midrib? It looks like Dictyopteris polypodioides. Pink could be encrusting reds if an oldish specimen.

Nick Owen Wasn't going to comment on the pink stuff. Sample would be good as it may be an alga, but it could conceivably be a bryo. What did it feel like Neil? Why not record it as Dictyota cf dichotoma? Balance of probablitlies! Also worth noting that coming round from Kent and up the E coast, possible confusion with Cutleria multifida. This feels quite different though. >________________________________

Neil Watson I did not touch it so I can't help on that one. I will do next time I see something I don't recognise.

Nick Owen Thanks, Neil. I always encourage folk to "light touch" as the sense of touch tells you so much more than just sight. If you are touching occasionally specifically to gain information to help you ID stuff (and therefore collecting information to help conserve spp and habitats), then to my mind that supercedes the usual doctrine of "hands off". Hard habit to break. Hope this has all been helpful. >________________________________