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cymodocea

Scientific Name: Cymodocea rotundata

Family: Cymodoceaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

*Cymodocea* - A Genus of Seagrass

*Cymodocea* is a genus of seagrass belonging to the family Cymodoceaceae. These submerged aquatic plants thrive in warm ocean environments.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: *Cymodocea* K.D.Knig, 1805
  • Family: Cymodoceaceae
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Synonyms:
    • *Cymodocea aequorea* K.D.Koenig, 1805

Species

The genus *Cymodocea* includes multiple species, some of which are:

  • *Cymodocea nodosa* (Ucria) Ascherson
  • *Cymodocea rotundata* Ascherson & Schweinfurth
  • *Cymodocea serrulata* (R.Brown) Ascherson & Magnus
  • *Cymodocea angustata* Ostenfeld

Distribution and Habitat

*Cymodocea* species are found in various warm ocean environments around the world:

  • *Cymodocea nodosa*: Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean (as far north as mid-Portugal). Also common in the Canary Islands.
  • *Cymodocea rotundata* and *Cymodocea serrulata*: Wide Indo-Pacific distribution, including southern Japan, Taiwan, and Hainan, China.
  • *Cymodocea angustata*: Endemic to tropical Western Australia.

Morphological Characteristics

These seagrasses have distinct physical characteristics:

  • *Cymodocea rotundata*: Flat, strap-like leaves (2-4mm wide) with rounded, smooth tips; smooth rhizomes; scars from well-developed leaf sheaths.
  • *Cymodocea serrulata*: Long, ribbon-like leaves (0.5-1cm wide and 7-15cm long) with blunt tips.
  • Common *Cymodocea*: Monopodial rhizome thicker than *Cymodocea rotundata* with short stems and internodes 2-9 cm long.

Ecological Role

*Cymodocea* meadows are important habitats, providing shelter for various marine organisms. They are even part of the OSPAR List of threatened species, highlighting their conservation significance. In the Mediterranean, *Cymodocea nodosa* formations thrive in permanently submerged waters down to 10 meters deep.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • These seagrasses provide suitable shelter for numerous marine organisms.
  • They often grow among other seagrass species, such as *Enhalus acoroides*.

Further Information

  • IUCN Red List Species Range Map for *Cymodocea rotundata*
  • Taxonomic Serial No.: 39086 for *Cymodocea serrulata*