Penicillus nodulosus
©Anne Hoggett: Penicillus nodulosus at about 20 metres depth off Coconut Beach, Lizard Island. Diameter is about 5 cm. Thanks to Dr John Huisman for identifying the photo.
©Anne Hoggett: Top view of the specimen of Penicillus nodulosus from off Coconut Beach, Lizard Island.
©Anne Hoggett: Penicillus nodulosus at 14 metres depth at Big Vicki's Reef, Lizard Island. The larger specimen is about 3 cm diameter.
Kingdom
Plantae
Division
Chlorophyta
Class
Ulvophyceae
Order
Bryopsidales
Family
Udoteaceae
Genus
Penicillus
Species
Penicillus nodulosus
Colours
Distinguishing features
Distinguishing features still need to be specified.
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Synonyms
Comments
Dr John Huismann (Murdoch University) notes that he found this species at depth in Watson's Bay during the CReefs project in 2008. The species typically has a "shaving brush" appearance rather than the flattened top illustrated here and he thought then that it might be new. However, Dr Fred Gurgel (SA Museum) sequenced the DNA and it came out as Penicillus nodulosus. John thinks the flat top may be an adaptation to low light at depth.
by Anne Hoggett
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
