Antarctic Marine Flora: Uniquely Devoid of Kelps

• Published in: Science
• Main Authors: Moe, Richard L., Silva, Paul C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 1977
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.196.4295.1206; https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.196.4295.1206

The discovery of embryonic stages of the common large Antarctic brown seaweed Himantothallus has led to the conclusion that this plant, hitherto assigned equivocally to the Laminariales (kelps), is a member of the Desmarestiales. Moreover, field study of a large sample of Himantothallus and two other enigmatic brown algae, Phyllogigas and Phaeoglossum , has led to the merger of these three genera with the recognition of a single species, Himantothallus grandifolius . The correct placement of these kelp-like algae underscores the uniqueness of the Antarctic marine flora as the only cold-water flora without kelps.