142
Id. K. DELL
blows out to sea as it forms and so rarely fringes the shore. This aIlows
a growth of algae in shallow water. ‘‘ From the surface, as far as the
eye can reach down, is seen a jungle of giant algae, among the roots
and fronds of which numerous animals of all classes find shelter.” One
branching stem found floating on the surface was 18 feet in length
(6.6 m). Mawson (1916, p. 268) reported that the MacKellar Islets in
Commonwealth Bay were “ kelp-fringed ’’ in December 1913. The
larger species represented were probably Phyllogigas grandifolius and
Desmarestia menziesi.
Skottsberg’s (1941) attempt to classify Antarctic sublittoral communities was severely restricted by lack of material. The work on which
it was based was carried out along the Antarctic Peninsula. Three
Associations were discussed.
1. Desmarestia Association (0-40 m). Formed mainly by D .
harveyana A. and E. S. Gepp but generally with D . anceps Montagne
associated. Ice action determines the upper limits but dense growth
usually starts in a few metres depth. The usual lower limit is 20-25 m
but it may extend to 40 m. Ascoseira rnirabilis Skottsberg occurs fairly
commonly in the upper portion of this association, while in the lower
sections P~ylZogigas grandifolius and probably Cystosp~era jacqwinotii
come in.
2. Leptosomia Association. The two red algae Leptosomia simplex
and L. antarctica (Skottsberg) Kylin are common in shallow water, the
fronds attaining a length of 70 cm on occasion.
3. Mixed Rhodophyceae Association. Based only on Skottsberg’s
notes the more important members of this deep-water association were
Delisea pulchra (Greville) Montagne , Phycodrys antarctica and Plocamium coccineum.
Skottsberg also noted Monostroma hariotii, and Lithphyllum
aeqmbile (Foslie) Foslie.
In a later paper Skottsberg (1953) was able to list 37 species from
the Antarctic Peninsula. He showed that the common Desrnarestia
from this area should be known m D . menziesii and also listed such
forms as:
Monostroma hariotii
Ulothrix australis
Kallymenia antarctica
Plocumium coccineum
Balliu callitrich
DBlBpine and Hureau (1963) showed a zonation pattern off Petrel
Island, Adelie Land. Between tidemarks two distinct bands occurred,
Id. K. DELL
blows out to sea as it forms and so rarely fringes the shore. This aIlows
a growth of algae in shallow water. ‘‘ From the surface, as far as the
eye can reach down, is seen a jungle of giant algae, among the roots
and fronds of which numerous animals of all classes find shelter.” One
branching stem found floating on the surface was 18 feet in length
(6.6 m). Mawson (1916, p. 268) reported that the MacKellar Islets in
Commonwealth Bay were “ kelp-fringed ’’ in December 1913. The
larger species represented were probably Phyllogigas grandifolius and
Desmarestia menziesi.
Skottsberg’s (1941) attempt to classify Antarctic sublittoral communities was severely restricted by lack of material. The work on which
it was based was carried out along the Antarctic Peninsula. Three
Associations were discussed.
1. Desmarestia Association (0-40 m). Formed mainly by D .
harveyana A. and E. S. Gepp but generally with D . anceps Montagne
associated. Ice action determines the upper limits but dense growth
usually starts in a few metres depth. The usual lower limit is 20-25 m
but it may extend to 40 m. Ascoseira rnirabilis Skottsberg occurs fairly
commonly in the upper portion of this association, while in the lower
sections P~ylZogigas grandifolius and probably Cystosp~era jacqwinotii
come in.
2. Leptosomia Association. The two red algae Leptosomia simplex
and L. antarctica (Skottsberg) Kylin are common in shallow water, the
fronds attaining a length of 70 cm on occasion.
3. Mixed Rhodophyceae Association. Based only on Skottsberg’s
notes the more important members of this deep-water association were
Delisea pulchra (Greville) Montagne , Phycodrys antarctica and Plocamium coccineum.
Skottsberg also noted Monostroma hariotii, and Lithphyllum
aeqmbile (Foslie) Foslie.
In a later paper Skottsberg (1953) was able to list 37 species from
the Antarctic Peninsula. He showed that the common Desrnarestia
from this area should be known m D . menziesii and also listed such
forms as:
Monostroma hariotii
Ulothrix australis
Kallymenia antarctica
Plocumium coccineum
Balliu callitrich
DBlBpine and Hureau (1963) showed a zonation pattern off Petrel
Island, Adelie Land. Between tidemarks two distinct bands occurred,