This can be seen year round on the

shoreline.

Enteromorpha sp

Class: Chlorophyceae Order: Ulotrichales Burntcoat Head shoreline

Family:

Genus: Enteromorpha

Chlorophyceae forms a major class of green . There are a great

number of species. Sea Lettuce belongs to this green algae Distribution group. It is abundant in Nova Scotian waters, and in some areas Enteromorpha species are is considered to be an invasive, nuisance species. distributed around the Chlorophyceae is derived from the Greek word chloros, meaning world in a wide variety of “green”; it is indeed a very bright green. environments.

Sea lettuce grows primarily on rocks in shallow areas that are Habitat relatively protected from waves and have good exposure to It is both a temperate and sunlight. It is also common in estuaries, and can attach near the tropical species, abundant base of eelgrass, where it forms an “understory” of vegetation. in different forms Where water and light conditions are favourable, sea lettuce also worldwide. grows on pilings and dock floats. It is very tolerant

Reproduction They use various methods of reproduction including sexual, Enteromorpha is dioecious, asexual, and vegetative. Vegetative is also varied; fragmentation meaning it has separate and cell division occur; cells from the upper and lower parts sexes. It has several develop into shoots and roots creating new units. Both gametes pathways for reproduction. and zoospores are released from the tips of the fronds. Gametes

(sex cells) have two flagellae enabling them to swim; they find

each other and form groups. Gametes join together as either egg Development or sperm to form new individuals. Asexual reproduction Scientific studies are (mitosis) involves only one parent, the zoospore. This spore ongoing as to why there can is able to single-handedly develop and lead to a new organism, be sudden, massive blooms while a gamete is a reproductive cell destined to merge with of this covering huge another gamete producing a diploid cell, the zygote , from which areas on a global basis. develops a new organism. This genus can be so prolific forming These rapid and large large floating masses of green algae. accumulations are referred to as “Green tides”.

Characteristics There are many species of Sea Lettuce, some This particular algae can only be identified with the help of a features long, slippery tubes microscope. Single species can vary in or fingers rising from the response to environmental conditions. The center of the attached tubes vary greatly in width, in different, or by a single holdfast. The even in the same species. Sometimes it is of long tubes are flattened and no greater diameter than that of human hair; crinkled, usually densely and sometimes it is two or five centimetres across. tufted, soft to the touch Tubes also vary greatly in length. Locally the Sea and very much branched. Lettuce is slender, hair-like, and between 2.5 and Latin term "Enteromorpha" 3.8 cm long. It is well tufted, dense, soft, and literally means intestine- very slippery. shaped.

Adaptations At low temperatures of -21°C, it still functions Spores have four flagellae although the optimum is l7°C. It does prefer and are able to move about, cooler water temperatures and can be seen year living for several months round locally. It also tolerates a wide range of without growing, or salinities, from 17 ppt. to 40 ppt. It is an early attaching themselves until colonizer of bare rock. It can survive drying out surrounding conditions are on the rocks near the top of the shore as it acceptable. It is very rehydrates rapidly when the tide comes back in. tolerant of environment After being grazed by periwinkles and limpets changes e.g. salinity and it has a very quick recovery rate, regrowth is rapid. temperature, and grows all Sea lettuce is often found at the base of rivers and over the seashore. It often brackish water estuaries. It can cover mudflats grows where freshwater giving the appearance of a "green meadow". runs across shore lines

Ecological Aspects It is frequently used along coastal areas as a In various parts of the readily available fertilizer, and also used as animal world Sea Lettuce is a food feed. It has antibacterial properties and is used source for many people. It medicinally. Locally growth is kept somewhat in is high in protein, soluble control by the fish, crustaceans and molluscs that dietary fibre, and a variety graze on it. However, it can grow uncontrollably of vitamins and minerals in the right conditions. In recent years there have especially . It is also been unprecedented amounts of algae washing consumed by a variety of up on shorelines. Floating green mats can grow animals including fish, to completely cover beaches and swimming , and periwinkles. areas, clog up harbours and shipping canals.

Status/Threats It is still unclear which factors in particular cause It is extremely prolific “Green tides”, and how they can be avoided and managed. A globally and under no better understanding of the origin and persistence of green tide threat whatsoever. blooms is desirable in order to address the problems they cause.

Sightings in Nova Scotia It is very common on Nova Scotian shorelines.