Red algae between Strande and Schilksee (Kiel fiord, Germany)

In the shallow areas between Strande and Schilksee in the Kiel fiord scubadivers are able to see a very conspicuous red algae right now, the cord seaweed. This species can be found in sheltered bays, but is also capable of wave exposition. To this point it is not yet clear if the cord seaweed (Dumontia contorta (S.G. Gmelin) Ruprecht, 1850) already had occupied the bay in the year before. Now, a TaMOs record for this species at Strande/Schilksee exists. The 'Global Biodiversity Information Facility' (GBIF) and the 'Ocean Biogeographic Information System' (OBIS) have listings for this algae from Northern and Western Europe. Dumontia contorta is also listed in the plant catalogue of Svalbard, and in the Baltic there are entries from the danish isles. The high tolerance towards brackish waters enabled D. contorta to expand eastward to the Gulf of Bothnia (AlgaeBase). Now a participant of TaMOs has recorded this species in german waters. This underlies the necessity for a project like TaMOs as there is need for a broad geographical coverage of observations to have a real reference for the distribution area of this species. Thanks go to P. Schubert and R. Karez who identified the species.

Characteristics:

• Length: ca. 20cm
• Width/Diameter: 0.5-3mm
• Color: pale violett-red to brownish
• Thallus:
  • cord like
  • branched, but only in the older thallus areas and with only a few branches
  • Not covered by slime
  • In the older areas the thallus is hollow and  oval in shape. Here it is possible that the thallus looks like curled and twisted.
• Distribution:
  • In sheltered bays, but also capable of wave exposure
  • Littoral to sublittoral
  • British coast, danish isles, Faroer isls to Svalbard
• Taxonomy: