Where Caulerpa serrulata has been recorded
GBIF occurrence records for Caulerpa serrulata, mapped and tabulated by country.
1,988 georeferenced occurrence records with coordinates are published for Caulerpa serrulata through GBIF, from 72 countries or marine areas. This page maps those records and lists where they come from. Occurrence records reflect where people have looked as well as where the species lives, so well-surveyed coastlines are over-represented.
- Georeferenced records
- 1,988
- Countries / areas
- 72
- Mapped locations
- 412
- Records sampled for the map
- 1,988
- Inland records omitted
- 67
- Gbif taxonkey
- 9359402
Taxonomic Identity and Nomenclatural History
Caulerpa serrulata var. hummii occupies a defined position within the green seaweed lineage, classified under the class Bryopsidophyceae, order Bryopsidales, and family Caulerpaceae. Its nomenclatural history reflects the ongoing refinement of algal taxonomy. The taxon was first described as a distinct species, Caulerpa hummii, by Díaz-Piferrer in 1969. Subsequently, Farghaly reclassified it in 1980 as a variety of Caulerpa serrulata, yielding the current accepted name Caulerpa serrulata var. hummii. This reclassification acknowledges affinities with the broader C. serrulata complex while preserving the distinctive features that originally warranted separate species status. The South African seaweed record follows the taxonomic usage of Algaebase where possible, meaning the arrangement and naming in regional compilations may differ from the original cited sources. Those citations primarily document the existence of records or the geographic range within the region rather than establishing the taxonomic placement itself. Synonyms are noted where they aid identification, and sub-taxa within a given taxon are generally arranged in alphabetical order.
Distribution Along the South African Coast
Within the documented records of green seaweeds from the oceans bordering South Africa, Caulerpa serrulata var. hummii is noted with a geographic range extending from Sodwana Bay northwards. Sodwana Bay, situated on the eastern coast of the country, marks the southernmost point of the recorded distribution for this taxon in South African waters. The range specification in regional compilations is understood to encompass the known occurrences within the waters surrounding the Republic of South Africa, though it may not represent the full global extent of the species. This northward distribution places the taxon in the same general coastal zone as several other members of the genus Caulerpa, including C. nummularia, C. webbiana, and C. zeyheri, which are also recorded from Sodwana Bay or areas further north. The listing of this variety alongside its synonym Caulerpa hummii ensures that researchers consulting older literature can trace the taxon back to its original 1969 description. The record contributes to the broader inventory of macroscopic, multicellular marine algae documented along the South African coastline.
Ecological Context of Green Macroalgae
As a member of the Chlorophyta, Caulerpa serrulata var. hummii belongs to the group of green macroalgae that, alongside red and brown seaweeds, form the diverse communities of marine macroalgae. These organisms are macroscopic and multicellular, representing thousands of species worldwide. Green seaweeds and their macroalgal relatives play critical ecological roles: they provide essential nursery habitat for fisheries and other marine species, thereby protecting food sources throughout the water column. At a planetary scale, planktonic algae contribute to carbon capture and are responsible for producing at least half of Earth's oxygen. However, natural seaweed ecosystems face threats from human activity. Mechanical dredging, for instance, can destroy kelp resources and the fisheries that depend upon them. In the context of climate change, seaweeds are increasingly viewed as a potential tool for biosequestration of carbon dioxide, alongside benefits such as nutrient pollution reduction, increased habitat for coastal aquatic species, and mitigation of local ocean acidification. The IPCC has called for further research attention on these mitigation applications.
Position Among Caulerpa Species in South African Waters
The genus Caulerpa is well represented in South African green seaweed records, with numerous species and varieties documented across the coastline. Within the family Caulerpaceae, the South African list includes species such as C. bartoniae (endemic, mainly south coast), C. holmesiana (endemic, mainly south coast), C. filiformis (False Bay to northern KwaZulu-Natal), C. peltata (Port Alfred and Durban northwards), and C. zeyheri (Haga Haga northwards into Mozambique). Caulerpa serrulata var. hummii, recorded from Sodwana Bay northwards, occupies a position within this diverse assemblage. Several of these taxa carry synonyms reflecting earlier taxonomic arrangements, such as their former placement under names like Chauvinia, Ahnfeldtia, or Fucus. The presence of multiple Caulerpa species across different coastal regions—from the Western Cape through the south coast to KwaZulu-Natal and beyond—illustrates the richness of green macroalgal diversity in these waters. The alphabetical arrangement of sub-taxa within each taxon in the regional list facilitates systematic reference, while the inclusion of locally used common names, such as 'strap caulerpa' or 'feathery caulerpa,' aids field identification.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries or marine areas has Caulerpa serrulata been recorded in?
According to the GBIF dataset, occurrence records for this species span 72 different countries or marine areas. That makes it a genuinely cosmopolitan seagrass with a broad global footprint.
How many georeferenced records exist for Caulerpa serrulata's distribution?
A total of 1,988 georeferenced occurrence records with coordinates have been published through GBIF under taxon key 9359402. All 1,988 were sampled for the distribution map.
Why do some coastlines show up more heavily on the Caulerpa serrulata distribution map?
Occurrence records capture where researchers have actually looked, not just where the plant truly lives. As a result, well-surveyed coastlines naturally appear over-represented compared to less-studied regions.
How many distinct mapped locations does the Caulerpa serrulata distribution page display?
The distribution page plots 412 mapped locations drawn from the full set of 1,988 georeferenced records. These points are aggregated to show the species' geographic spread at a glance.
Why are some Caulerpa serrulata records excluded from the distribution map?
Sixty-seven inland records were deliberately omitted because they likely represent cultivation, misidentification, or data-entry errors rather than genuine marine occurrences. Leaving them out keeps the map focused on real coastal and marine habitats.
More in Distribution
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