Halophila decipiens

Halophila decipiens, commonly known as paddle grass, is a seagrass species found in tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Indo-Pacific.^[3]

Halophila decipiens
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Alismatales
Family:	Hydrocharitaceae
Genus:	Halophila
Species:	H. decipiens
Binomial name
Halophila decipiens Ostenf., 1902 [2]

Description

Halophila decipiens have oval-shaped leaves with serrated edges that typically grow to a length of 1-2.5 cm (0.4-1 in) long and 0.6 cm (0.25 in) wide. The leaves stem from rhizomes that create branching networks of the plants on the seafloor. The rhizomes are thin, white, and slightly thicker than the roots of the plant. Unlike other seagrass genus's, Halophila species lack basal sheaths, which are casings that wrap around the base of the seagrass stem. Halophila decipiens are a monoecious species, meaning the male and female flowers occur at the base of the same stem. Additionally, they are an annual plant whose population dies in late autumn and recovers with the germination of seeds in the spring. ^[3]

Distribution

Halophila decipiens is a pantropical species being found in tropical regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Western Atlantic Ocean and European waters.^[4] Though often found at depths of less than 30 metres (98 ft) it sometimes occurs as deep as 85 metres (279 ft). It is a euryhaline species and can be found in areas with low salinity.^[5]

Ecology

Seagrass beds acts as a source of food, a breeding ground and a habitat for various flora and fauna. In the Indian River Lagoon, Halophila decipiens is one of three species of Halophila, the others being Halophila ovalis in the form of Johnson's seagrass and Halophila engelmannii. Halophila baillonis has also been reported but may have been misidentified and several other species of seagrass are also present. These seagrasses often form mixed meadows and the animals that feed on them include sea urchins, sea turtles, parrotfish, surgeonfish and possibly pinfish.^[4]