Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 17.4
Similar trajectories of (
a
) floating
Macrocystis pyrifera
and (
b
) artificial drifters
towards the shore in coastal waters of California and Baja California, respectively. (
c
) Drift
direction and velocity of the artificial drifters correlated with prevailing wind conditions.
Figures modified after Hern´ndez-Carmona et al. (
2006
) and Tapia et al. (
2004
)
species
S. muticum,
which originates from Japan, has been reported floating abun-
dantly in May in the North Sea (Vandendriessche et al.
2006
); thallus fragmentation
and rafting dispersal may have facilitated the rapid spread of this species along the
coasts of NW Europe (Rueness
1989
; Harries et al.
2007
). The holopelagic
Sargas-
sum
species from the Gulf of Mexico seemed to have similar seasonal growth
cycles, with highest amounts during March and June (Gower and King
2008
).
Seasonal variations of floating populations have also been revealed for perennial
algae such as
M. pyrifera
and
D. antarctica
in southern Chile, with highest densities
being found during austral spring (Hinojosa et al.
2010
). Floating seaweeds can also
