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Ulvaria obscura
Species of alga From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ulvaria obscura is an intertidal and subtidal benthic marine algae found in temperate and Arctic ocean waters around the world.[1][2]
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Ecology
Ulvaria obscura is a common marine algae, typically identified in algal blooms referred to as "Green Tides".[3][4] The species is distinct in its ability to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine as a herbivore defense mechanism.[5][6] The species has a wide tolerance to various growth conditions, surviving temperatures between 5-29 °C, salinities from freshwater to complete saturation, and grows well under various light intensities.[7] The species growth rate responds to increased dissolved inorganic nitrogen availability, making the species a possible indicator of anthropogenic pollution leading to eutrophication.[8][9][10]
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Identification
The thalli of Ulvaria obscura are bladelike, usually less than 5 cm tall and 8 cm thick, consisting of a single cell layer, and typically have between 2 and 6 pyrenoids per cell.[11] Thalli turn from green to dark brown upon desiccation due to the oxidation of dopamine within the tissues.[6]
References
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