Chaetomorpha

Chaetomorpha is a genus of green algae in the family Cladophoraceae. Members of this genus may be referred to by the common name sea emerald.

Description
Algae of this genus are made up of macroscopic filaments of cylindrical cells. The genus is characterized by its unbranched filaments, making it distinctive; its closest relatives are branching species of the genus Cladophora.

Species


There are about 50 species. Species include:


 * Chaetomorpha adriani
 * Chaetomorpha aerea
 * Chaetomorpha akineta
 * Chaetomorpha antennina
 * Chaetomorpha bangioides
 * Chaetomorpha basiretrorsa
 * Chaetomorpha billardierii
 * Chaetomorpha brachygona
 * Chaetomorpha californica
 * Chaetomorpha cannabina
 * Chaetomorpha capillaris
 * Chaetomorpha dubyana
 * Chaetomorpha elongata
 * Chaetomorpha exposita
 * Chaetomorpha fibrosa
 * Chaetomorpha firma
 * Chaetomorpha geniculata
 * Chaetomorpha gracilis
 * Chaetomorpha henningsii
 * Chaetomorpha herbipolensis
 * Chaetomorpha intestinalis
 * Chaetomorpha irregularis
 * Chaetomorpha javanica
 * Chaetomorpha kellersii
 * Chaetomorpha kerguelensis
 * Chaetomorpha ligustica
 * Chaetomorpha linoides
 * Chaetomorpha linum
 * Chaetomorpha macrotona
 * Chaetomorpha mawsonii
 * Chaetomorpha mediterranea
 * Chaetomorpha melagonium
 * Chaetomorpha natalensis
 * Chaetomorpha nodosa
 * Chaetomorpha obscura
 * Chaetomorpha ochlophobians
 * Chaetomorpha olneyi
 * Chaetomorpha pachynema
 * Chaetomorpha pacifica
 * Chaetomorpha picquotiana
 * Chaetomorpha recurva
 * Chaetomorpha restricta
 * Chaetomorpha saccata
 * Chaetomorpha septentrionalis
 * Chaetomorpha tenuissima
 * Chaetomorpha tokyoensis
 * Chaetomorpha tortuosa
 * Chaetomorpha valida
 * Chaetomorpha vieillardii
 * Chaetomorpha zernovii

Uses
These algae are popular with aquarium hobbyists. Dumping of aquarium specimens into waterways has led to the establishment of nonnative Chaetomorpha populations, which degrades ecosystems when the algae become invasive species. Biologists recommend boiling, microwaving, freezing, or desiccating aquarium Chaetomorpha before disposing of it to avoid inadvertent releases.