Hello, my name is Richard Miller. I am currently a botanist here at the Daily Reefer. Remember, “everyone needs their Daily Reefer!” Let me tell you a little bit about myself before we get started on botany. I am a really cool, swagged-out guy from the heart of Indiana, coming “straight outta Naptown” as they say. Word G…
Turtle Grass
Turtle grass is probably the most common seagrass off the coast of Florida, stretching all the was down to Venezula. This special grass is typically found from the low tide, to as deep as about thirty feet or so. It usually grows, covering sand and rubble-covered seafloor bottoms. Sea turtles survive from grazing on this seagrass, hence the name, “Turtle Grass.”
Manatee Grass
Manatee grass is the second-most common seaweed off the coast of Florida, stretching down throughout the Gulf of Mexico. This seagrass is found in tropical waters, with a salinity range from 20-36 ppt (parts per thousand). The roots of the Manatee grass barely go below the substrate surface. Manatees graze upon this grass, hence it’s name, “Manatee Grass.”
Shoal Grass
Differing from the Turtle and Manatee grasses, Shoal grass colonizes around dangerous areas, not suitable for the Turtle and Manatee grasses. This grass is found North Carolina, all the way down to the Caribbean, and also in South America and Northwestern Africa. You can find this seagrass in waters with a salinity ranging from 10-15 ppt (parts per thousand). Shoal Grass also can form dense patches in high salinity areas exposed to wave energy and tidal flats.
Johnson’s Grass
Johnson’s Grass is a special grass in it’s own way. It was distinguished to be it’s own Species in the Indian River Lagoon in 1980. It was viewed as an endangered species on September 14, 1998 by the Endangered Species Act, due to its distribution. This grass is found within flood tidal deltas, from Central Biscayne Bay to Sebastian Inlet. Scientists are now trying to create a recovery plan for this seagrass.
Paddle Grass
Paddle Grass can be found on the continental shelf from the Gulf of Mexico to the Indo-West Pacific. It is very similar to Johnson’s Grass, differing in a leaf shape margin. This grass can form pactches of grass in shallow waters.
Red Algae
Red Algae contains a pigment called phycoerythrins, which is when it reflects red light, and absorbs blue light. It is usually growing in clean, running water, such as a stream or river, although there are some acceptions. The algae is found mostly in the Pacific Ocean, containing over 7,000 different species. Some people in Japan also use it as a nice cuisine.
Green Algae
Green Algae is a bit of a worker for other organisms. As a favor for other organisms, Green algae goes through photosynthesis for the other organisms. There are over 6,000 species for these macroscopic seaweeds. It can be found in fresh and salt water, and can reproduce sexually and asexually.
Zooxanthelae
Zooxanthellae are a masterpiece of their own. They contain small polyps, which are algae. The zooxanthellae gives corals their distinguished colors. Zooxanthellae also go through photosynthesis. If one is disturbed, a zooxanthellae will “spit out” its polyp inside it, resulting in it bleaching and dying out.