Table 2.
Sample code, Taxonomy, Scientific name and its description of collected seaweeds.
| Sample code | Taxon | Scientific name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| SW1 (green seaweed) | Chlorophyta | Codium extricatum | Codium is common seaweed in tidal (both high and intertidal) pools - Thick bushy codium with dark green velvety appearance. Branches even in diameter and bifurcated (split in two parts). Several different species of algae may be found between the branches. |
| SW2 (brown seaweed) | Phaeophyta | Sargassum incisifolium | Thallus is small (about 15–20 cm high) and found bushy appearance. Spherical shape with ear-like appendages or a crown, sometimes smooth. Found as tight clusters, compressed with serrate margins. |
| SW3 (red seaweed) | Rhodophyta | Hypnea rosea | Bright red seaweed can grow up to 17 cm long, comprising irregularly branched axes usually tangled with other algae. It contains numerous short spinous ramuli imparting spiky appearance. The tips are sharply pointed and curved, transparent and rosy pink in colour. Commonly found in Mtwalume, KZN, South Africa. |
| SW4 (brown seaweed) | Phaeophyta | Sargassum obovatum | Leaves are spatulate, base cuneate, leathery texture, margin coarsely dentate. Thallus is small (about 10 cm high) and bushy. Appearance in tight clusters, compressed with serrate margins. |
| SW5 (green seaweed) | Chlorophyta | Valonia utricularis | Distinct club-like appearance and may grow to as much as two inches in length. Thallus of large (1–35 mm diameter) cells forming cushions a few to 20 cm in diameter. Mainly found attached to hard substrate in cracks, crevices or other protected areas (from predators). |
| SW6 (red seaweed) | Rhodophyta | Gracilaria corticata | Seaweed appears like reddish brown to yellowish-brown, terete, firm, and stringy and up to 1 m long, usually found in clumps anchored in rocks and sand. |
| SW7 (red seaweed) | Rhodophyta | Arthrocardia flabellata | Thallus appear as pale grey-red, slender, 2–4 cm high, with fronds in small groups with axes sparsely pinnate. Branches divided to form a feather-like pattern. The branch segments are heavily calcified giving it a stiff and tough look and feel. The calcification discourages grazers by making it less edible. |
| SW8 (green seaweed) | Chlorophyta | Codium lucasii | Thallus appears very dark green in colour, firm, slippery, applanate, irregularly lobed, 2.5–5 mm thick and up to several cm in diameter, adhering more tightly to substratum (rocky surface). It composed of entwined filaments. Mostly situated in low tide mark to intertidal zones. |