Posidonia robertsoniae
Encyclopedia
Posidonia robertsoniae is one of the seagrasses of Western Australia
, submerged flowering plants that occurs in the southern coastal waters.
, submerged flowering plants found in mediterraean climates. A perennial rhizomatous herb that appears as stands in marine habitat. This species is found at depths from 0.5 to 20 metres on white sands, in coastal waters that may be sheltered or subject to intense wave action. The habit of Posidonia robertsoniae is as a clumping stand, it is rhizomatous plant that puts out shoots with one or two leaves. The leaf blades are 2.5 to 4 millimetres wide, and 1.5 metres long. They are slightly leathery and uneven on the upper surfaces. Between 6 and 9 veins appear on each leaf. The flowering period is primarily during the months of August and September.
, from Warnbro Sound to Israelite Bay.
, is found in the Mediterranean sea. The species was first described in Aquatic Botany
in 1984, based on a holotype
collected at King George Sound
in 1981. Several related species within Posidonia are described as the Posidonia ostenfeldii complex, a group that may be in need of revision. The species Posidonia coriacea
, which occurs in a wider distribution range, and this one may not be distinct, both lack evidence of genetic variation. The differing morphology of these species may be subject to environmental influence and their characters can overlap.
Seagrasses of Western Australia
The Seagrasses of Western Australia are submerged flowering plants found along the coast, around islands, and in estuaries of Western Australia. The region contains some of the largest seagrass meadows in the world, and is the most diverse in the number of species...
, submerged flowering plants that occurs in the southern coastal waters.
Description
A species of PosidoniaPosidonia
Posidonia is a genus of flowering plants. It contains two to nine species of marine plants , found in the seas of the Mediterranean and around the south coast of Australia....
, submerged flowering plants found in mediterraean climates. A perennial rhizomatous herb that appears as stands in marine habitat. This species is found at depths from 0.5 to 20 metres on white sands, in coastal waters that may be sheltered or subject to intense wave action. The habit of Posidonia robertsoniae is as a clumping stand, it is rhizomatous plant that puts out shoots with one or two leaves. The leaf blades are 2.5 to 4 millimetres wide, and 1.5 metres long. They are slightly leathery and uneven on the upper surfaces. Between 6 and 9 veins appear on each leaf. The flowering period is primarily during the months of August and September.
Distribution
Posidonia robertsoniae is recorded at coasts of Southwest AustraliaSouthwest Australia
Southwest Australia is a biodiversity hotspot that includes the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub ecoregions of Western Australia. The region has a wet-winter, dry-summer Mediterranean climate, one of five such regions in the world...
, from Warnbro Sound to Israelite Bay.
Taxonomy
This species is contained by the Posidoniaceae family, one of eight occurring in southern Australia. The ninth member, Posidonia oceanicaPosidonia oceanica
Posidonia oceanica is a seagrass species that is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. It forms large underwater meadows that are an important part of the ecosystem. The fruit is free floating and known in Italy as 'the olive of the sea'...
, is found in the Mediterranean sea. The species was first described in Aquatic Botany
Aquatic Botany
Aquatic Botany is a peer-reviewed scientific journal dedicated to research on structure, function, dynamics, and classification of plant-dominated aquatic communities and ecosystems, as well as molecular, biochemical, and...
in 1984, based on a holotype
Holotype
A holotype is a single physical example of an organism, known to have been used when the species was formally described. It is either the single such physical example or one of several such, but explicitly designated as the holotype...
collected at King George Sound
King George Sound
King George Sound is the name of a sound on the south coast of Western Australia. Located at , it is the site of the city of Albany.The sound covers an area of and varies in depth from to ....
in 1981. Several related species within Posidonia are described as the Posidonia ostenfeldii complex, a group that may be in need of revision. The species Posidonia coriacea
Posidonia coriacea
Posidonia coriacea is a species of seagrass that occurs in the southern waters of Australia.-Description:A species of Posidonia. A perennial rhizomatous herb that appears as stands in marine habitat. This species is found at depths from 1 to 30 metres on white sands, in areas subject to intense...
, which occurs in a wider distribution range, and this one may not be distinct, both lack evidence of genetic variation. The differing morphology of these species may be subject to environmental influence and their characters can overlap.