Caulerpa

Taxobox
name = Caulerpa


image_width = 200px
image_caption = "Caulerpa prolifera"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Chlorophyta
classis = Bryopsidophyceae
ordo = Bryopsidales
familia = Caulerpaceae
genus = "Caulerpa"
genus_authority = J.V. Lamouroux, 1809
type_species = "Caulerpa prolifera"
type_species_authority = (Forsskål) J.V. Lamouroux, 1809
subdivision_ranks = Speciescite web | url = http://www.algaebase.org/browse/taxonomy/?id=8295 | publisher = "AlgaeBase version 4.2" World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway | accessdate = 2007-09-23 | title = Genus: "Caulerpa" taxonomy browser | author = Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. | year = 2007 ]
subdivision = About 86

"Caulerpa" is a genus of seaweeds in the family Caulerpaceae (among the green algae). They are unusual because they consist of only one cell with many nuclei, making them among the biggest single cells in the world. A species in the Mediterranean can have a stolon more than 3 metres (9 ft) long, with up to 200 fronds.

Some species (especially "Caulerpa lentillifera" and " Caulerpa racemosa") are eaten under the names sea grape or green caviar or umi-budo in Okinawa. They have a peppery taste. Seagrapes are eaten in Indonesian cuisine, sometimes fresh, and othertimes coated in sugar. They are raised in Cebu, for domestic consumption in the Philippines as well as export to Japan. Unconfirmed reports claim that the alkaloid Caulerpin found in seagrapes can sometimes cause poisoning.

Another species, "Caulerpa taxifolia", has become an invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea, Australia and southern California (where it has been eradicated). It is thought that "Caulerpa" species capable of surviving in temperate waters are freed from predators, in part contributing to invasive growth. Most "Caulerpa" species evolved in tropical waters, where herbivores have an immunity to toxic compounds within the alga. Temperate water herbivores have no natural immunity to these toxins, allowing "Caulerpa" to grow unchecked if introduced to temperate waters. "C. racemosa" has recently been found in waters around Crete, where it is thought to have contributed to a significant reduction in fisheries. The alga has invaded the area from the warmer waters of the Red Sea.

In U.S. waters, the Mediterranean strain of "Caulerpa taxifolia" is listed as a federal noxious weed, under the Plant Protection Act. The Aquatic Nuisance Species Taskforce has also created a National Management Plan for the Genus "Caulerpa". The state of California also prohibits possession of nine different species of "Caulerpa".

"Caulerpa" is common in the aquarium hobby as a nitrate absorber because of its rapid growth under relatively adverse conditions. It may also be used in refugiums for a long term nitrite absorber. Many introductions of invasive "Caulerpa" to the wild are thought to have occurred via aquarium dumping although there is no proof of it.

References

External links

* [http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/DOCREP/006/Y4765E/y4765e0b.htm Food and Agriculture Organization] - "Seaweeds used as human food"
* [http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=6963 ITIS report]
* [http://www.brookscole.com/biology_d/templates/student_resources/0030270448_tobin/webbit/ch04-01.html Largest Single Cell]