| Fucus serratus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Sar |
| Clade: | Stramenopiles |
| Division: | Ochrophyta |
| Class: | Phaeophyceae |
| Order: | Fucales |
| Family: | Fucaceae |
| Genus: | Fucus |
| Species: | F. serratus |
| Binomial name | |
| Fucus serratus | |
Fucus serratus is aseaweed of the northAtlantic Ocean, known astoothed wrack,serrated wrack,[1] orsaw wrack.[2][3]
Fucus serratus is a robust alga, olive-brown in colour and similar toFucus vesiculosus andFucus spiralis. The species is one of many algae that are multicellular. It grows from a discoidholdfast up to 180 centimetres (6 ft) long. Thefronds are flat, about 2 cm (0.8 in) wide, bifurcating, and up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long including a shortstipe. It branches irregularly and dichotomously. The flattened blade has a distinct midrib and is readily distinguished from related taxa by the serrated edge of the fronds. It does not have airvesicles, such as are found inF. vesiculosus, nor is it spirally twisted likeF. spiralis. Male and female receptacles are on different plants.[4] The lamina showscryptostomata – small cavities which produce colourless hairs.[5]
The reproductive bodies form inconceptacles sunken inreceptacles towards the tips on the branches. In these conceptaclesoogonia andantheridia are produced and aftermeiosis the oogonia and antheridia are released. Fertilisation follows and thezygote develops, settles and grows directly into thediploidsporophyte plant. The fertilization in the Fucus serratus would be associated with egg activation.
Fucus serratus is found along the Atlantic coast of Europe fromSvalbard toPortugal, in theCanary Islands.[6] It was introduced to the shores north-eastAmerica over 140 years ago, is presence described first atPictou Harbour in the late 1860s by George Upham Hay and Alexander Howard McKay, its introduction toIceland and theFaroe Islands could dateback to the Vikings, within the last 1000 years and was first noted in a phycological survey in 1900.[7][8]
Fucus serratus grows very well on slow draining shores where it may occupy up to a third of the area of the entire seashore.[9] It often dominates the rocky parts of the lower shore, exposed or immersed in rock pools, on all but the most exposed shores.[10] "...thelittoral zone is characterised especially by suchPhaeophyta (brown algae) asPelvetia,Ascophyllum,Egregia,Fucus andLaminaria, particularly when the shore is rocky".[11][12] It is considered an invasive species in theCanadian Maritimes, particularly on Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and the Northern coastline of New Brunswick. In Northern Europe and Iceland it is known to hybridize withFucus distichus.[8]
Fucus serratus is used inIreland andFrance for the production ofcosmetics and forthalassotherapy. In theWestern Isles ofScotland, it is harvested for use as a liquid fertiliser.[13] Since the organism contains triacylglycerols and fatty acids.
