1. The Importance of Being Algae Richard McCourt, Ph.D. DePaul University

2. Marine algae in Puerto Peñasco
Basis of the intertidal food chain
Shelter from environmental stress or predators
Grow on the various kinds of surfaces found in the area – granites, beachrock, boulders
Different divisions – greens, reds and browns
Phaeophytes – the most prominent

3. Sargassum sp. Deep brown Blade-like fronds
Seen floating – buoyed by hollow air bladders
Can grow up to ~1 meter in height
Shelter for fish and crustaceans

4. Padina sp. Fan-shaped fronds Common in tide pools
As they age, red algae crusts form on fronds
Also colonized by Anachis

5. Colpomenia sp. Thrive during winter Golden wads of chewing gum
Grow on turfs of other algae on the reefs

6. Acetabularia sp. Found in the lower intertidal zones; sandy shores
“Mermaid’s wine glass”
Float on the water – look for patches of lime green

7. Seasonal Patterns Sargassum and Colpomenia in winter Padina in summer
Release reproductive structures that exude spores/gametes into ocean

8. Conclusions So far, doing well
Massive death of the sunstar, Heliaster kubinjii, reported several years ago
Commercialism and eutrophication threaten the Sea of Cortez