Codium vermilara is a species of green algae (phylum Chlorophyta) found in the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Black Sea. Commonly known as wig or candelabrum algae, it is characterized by a cylindrical thallus (a structure that in plants would resemble trunks and branches) about half a centimeter in diameter and is branched. The thallus is strongly attached to the rocky bottom at a single point. Specimens can reach up to 30 cm in height. The thallus is formed by cellular filaments that are arranged in the form of a mesh, giving it a vertical bearing. The ends of the thallus are blunt, slightly flattened and of a slightly lighter green color than the rest of the structures.
As for its habitat, Codium vermilara is found in rocky intertidal zones and shallow seabeds (exceptionally up to 25-50 meters deep), with no direct exposure to the sun. It is moderately tolerant of waves and currents, although it has a preference for calmer areas. During the winter and autumn, after storms, it is common to find fragments of this algae on the beaches.
Despite the velvety appearance of its surface, in the summer months, the increase in water temperature causes this algae to develop longer filaments, similar in appearance to filamentous algae, which, together with the accumulation of sediment on the specimen, will often cause the specimens to be partially or completely camouflaged in the rocky environment.
Regarding reproduction, Codium vermilara has separate sexes, however, both sexes are found in the same individual, in different regions (i.e. it is a monoecious species). The specimens develop zygotes that are released into the water column to be fertilize and generate the next generation of specimens. Asexual reproduction can also occur in Codium vermilara, usually by fragmentation and settlement of the fragment(s) on the rocky bottom.
Codium vermilara are frequently preyed upon by specimens of the urchin Paracentrotus lividus.
Codium vermilara is often confused with other species of the same genus, especially with Codium fragilis. The feature that will allow differentiation between these two species is the arrangement and frequency of branching of the thallus. Codium vermilara has a more random branching pattern and not as regular as Codium fragilis. Another distinctive feature is the branching region itself. The species Codium decorticatum and Codium tomentosum have flattened branches, while in Codium vermilara and Codium fragilis the branches do not have any flattening, but continue the cylindrical section of their thalli. In addition, Codium tomentosum can only be confused with Codium vermilara in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, not being present in the Mediterranean or the Black Sea.
Photos:
