Codium fragile (Suringar) Hariot 1889

Publication Details
Codium fragile (Suringar) Hariot 1889: 32-33

Published in: Hariot, P. (1889). Algues. In: Mission Scientifique du Cap Horn. 1882-1883. Tome V. Botanique. Cryptogamie. (Hariot, P. & al. Eds), pp. 3-109. Paris: Gauthier-Villars et Fils, Imprimieurs Libraires.

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Type Species
The type species (holotype) of the genus Codium is Codium tomentosum Stackhouse.

Status of Name
This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Basionym
Acanthocodium fragile Suringar

Type Information
Type locality: Iaponia: Textor [Japan collected by Textor]; (Suringar 1867: 258) Type: L; 910, 187...1712

Origin of Species Name
Adjective (Latin), fragile (Stearn 1983).

General Environment
This is a marine species.

Created: 04 March 1998 by M.D. Guiry.

Last updated: 01 February 2024

Verification of Data
Users are responsible for verifying the accuracy of information before use, as noted on the website Content page.

Taxonomic notes
Codium fragile in Oregon and California requires reassessment (Trowbridge in Gabrielson, Widdowson & Lindstrom 2004: 12). Two forms are apparent but futher studies are required. - (11 May 2006) - G.M. Guiry
Kusakina et al. (2006:1) note that the C. fragile material found in Caribou Harbour is an intermediate in terms of both mucron length and molecular data, suggesting a hybrid of ssp. tomentosoides and ssp. atlanticum. - (28 August 2006) - G.M. Guiry
Two supposedly introduced subspecies have been recognised in Britain and Ireland since Silva's (1955) study, viz, Codium fragile subsp. atlanticum (A.D. Cotton) P.C. Silva and C. fragile subsp. tomentosoides (van Goor) P.C. Silva. However, Maggs (in Brodie, Maggs & John 2007: 194) and Provan et al. (2008) have shown that the first is probably native, and the second, whilst introduced and invasive, is synonymous with C. fragile subsp. fragile. The degree of both genotypic variation reported (small) and phenotypic variation described (large) makes the described subspecies and varieties unsustainable and it would be better to recognise one variable species for all practical purposes. - (29 December 2007) - G.M. Guiry

Distributional note
The nominate subspecies was introduced accidentally, probably on multiple occasions via shipping and via oysters imported from the N Pacific for farming, into the Mediterranean (Verlaque et al. 2015: 269), being first found in France in 1946. It is now widespread in the Mediterranean. Pedroche (2021) concluded that "Individuals from California and Mexico nested in the native clade C. fragile, while others also from California are recognized with that of Japan as belonging to the invasive clade (C. fragile subsp. fragile). At the moment, the absence of this invasive strain in the Pacific of Mexico is confirmed." - (06 November 2015) - M.D. Guiry

Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=3638

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 01 February 2024. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 15 May 2025

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