Researchers' Diaries

Rainbo Dixon

Marine flora, Murdoch University

Rainbo Dixon, Marine flora, Murdoch University

Marine Plants report

The 2009, WA Museum Kimberley expedition uncovered an abundance of interesting and unusual marine plants. While most of the larger, more obvious species collected were known from previous Kimberley fieldtrips, one of the dominant marine plants on Montgomery Reef has been recognised as a new species of the brown alga, Cystoseira. It’s currently nicknamed, “rasta”, as it closely resembles the popular Caribbean dreadlock hairstyle.

Brown algae, Cystoseira "rasta"

Photo: Rainbo Dixon

Copyright Western Australian Museum

In addition, some interesting forms of Caulerpa, the common green algal genus that includes ‘sea grapes’, were found and appear different to known forms. These differences will be tested with genetic studies.

The majority of new records arising from the expedition are in algal groups often overlooked or under-collected in large-scale surveys. Most notable in this undiscovered diversity are the encrusting algae (a.k.a. crusts), that is, those species growing closely over coral rubble and rocks.

Calcareous reef building algae (Red crust 2)

Photo: Rainbo Dixon

Copyright Western Australian Museum

Underwater, and even under a dissecting microscope, crusts can only be crudely identified, so on this trip the aim was to collect numerous samples to ensure the full diversity was represented and available for more detailed analyses. The results will be published later with Dr. John Huisman.

Rainbo Dixon with coralline algae - Adele I

Photo: Clay Bryce

Copyright Western Australian Museum

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