Acid seaweed
Desmarestia ligulata
- Not on exhibit
- Animal type
- Plants & algaes
- Ecosystem
- Kelp forest
- Relatives
- Brown algae, Family: Phaeophyta
- Diet
- Converts energy from sunlight and nutrients
- Range
- Pacific coast, southern Oregon to San Diego
- Size
- Varies
About acid seaweed
This harmless-looking seaweed packs a potent weapon: each cell contains a tiny pocket of sulfuric acid to discourage grazing fishes and invertebrates.
Conservation
Acid seaweed is the most abundant marine algae associated with giant kelp forests. Without the kelp forest, many kinds of fish, snails, crabs and other animals would be much scarcer. The kelp provides sheltered habitat for hundreds of species.
Up next in kelp forest
Animal
Red coralline algae
Red corallines are algae that have the same rough texture and stony feel as coral.
Keep exploring
Animal
Leopard shark
Leopard sharks live in shallow waters of bays and estuaries and occasionally patrol the kelp forest.