BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Fucus distichus
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Nicola White	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Dr Graham Scott
General Biology
Growth form	Foliose	Feeding method	Photoautotroph
Mobility/Movement	Permanent attachment	Environmental position	Epifloral
Typical food types	Not relevant	Habit	Attached
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Medium-large(21-50cm)
Height	Up to 30 cm	Growth Rate	10 cm / year
Adult dispersal potential	Not researched	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
General Biology Additional Information	The morphology of Fucus distichus is remarkably varied. Powell (1957a) recognised four subspecies, which were later separated into two distinct species (Fucus distichus and Fucus evanescens) by Rice and Chapman (1985). In its rock pool habit on the east coast of North America Fucus distichus is considered by Pearson & Davison (1994) to be slow growing, a poor competitor and stress intolerant. Adults of Fucus distichus are very tolerant of grazing due to a high content of phlorotannin, but germlings do not have any protection and are susceptible to grazing by littorinids.
Biology References	Rice & Chapman, 1985, Powell, 1957, Pearson & Davison, 1994, Ang, 1991,