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PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA

Variations in Morphology Along a Wave Exposure Gradient on the Monterey Peninsula, California, USA

of Silvetia (which was called Pelvetia)

In the spring of 1996, an ecological study of the morphology and distribution of P. compressa [now Silvetia compressa (J. Agardh) Serrão, Cho,Boo et Brawley] along the Monterey Peninsula was conducted by Rhoda H. Lin. The three sites examined were Pt. Pinos, Lovers Point, and Pt. Cabrillo.

The distribution of P. compressa at the three sites suggests that P. compressa is abundant in locations where it receives enough exposure to minimize dessication stress. At both Lovers Point and Pt. Pinos, P. compressa occupied a greater vertical range and had a greater percent cover than at Hopkins.

Using a discriminant function analysis, a multivariate statistical technique, it was ascertained that the morphologies of P. compressa at the three sites are indeed distinct and that one may separate the three populations based upon morphology. The features which were significantly different among the three sites as determined by a one-way ANOVA were:

• internode lengths
• internode areas
• breaking strength

For further reading, you may look up this paper at Miller Library, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, California, USA:

Lin, Rhoda H. (1996) Morphology and Distribution of P. compressa Along a Wave Exposure Gradient. Spring Class Papers, Biology 175H. Stanford University.

© 1996 R. H.  Lin