Oceana serrulata (R.Brown) Byng & Christenh.
Oceana serrulata also known as the serrated Ribbon- seagrass or by its more popular synonym, Cymodocea serrulata , is a species of seagrass found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific Ocean. It is a marine flowering plant that plays a crucial role in coastal ecosystem.
Current Status of Name :
This name is currently accepted taxonomically.
Rank : Species
Environment : Marine
Taxonomy Classification
- Kingdom : Plantae
- Class : Liliopsida
- Order : Alismatales
- Phylum : Tracheophyta
- Family : Cymodoceaceae
- Genus : Oceana
- Species : Oceana serrulata
Oceana serrulata
Description :
Morphology:
- Herbaceous marine flowering plant with slender, ribbon-like leaves
- Leaves are narrowly linear, 0.5-2 mm wide, up to 30 cm long, with entire margins and obtuse to rounded tips
- Leaf sheaths are open, finely fibrous, and often persist after leaf decay
- Rhizomes are slender, creeping, and branched, 0.5-1 mm in diameter
- Rhizome nodes are closely spaced, typically 1-3 cm apart
- Roots are unbranched, emerging from rhizome nodes
Reproductive Structures:
- Flowers are small, unisexual (male and female on separate plants), and borne on flattened spathes emerging from leaf sheaths
- Male flowers have two anthers on a short pedicel
- Female flowers have two carpels fused at the base, with elongated stigmas
Fruits and Seeds:
- Fruits are small, oblongoid to cylindrical, 5-15 mm long
- Each fruit contains a single seed
- Seeds are elongated, with a thin seed coat and no endosperm
Habitat and Ecology:
- Found in shallow coastal waters, typically at depths of 0.5-5 m
- Prefers soft substrates of sand or mud, often in sheltered bays, lagoons, and estuaries
- Tolerates a wide range of salinities from brackish to marine
- Often forms dense meadows or grows intermixed with other seagrass species
- Provides food and habitat for small marine invertebrates, fish, and other organisms
- Helps stabilize sediments, improve water quality, and contribute to nutrient cycling
- Reproduces both sexually (via seeds) and asexually (via rhizome fragmentation and growth)
Importance:
Oceana serrulata plays a vital role in the marine ecosystem:
Habitat and Food Source: It provides a haven and food source for a variety of marine creatures, from tiny invertebrates to larger fish.
Shoreline Stabilization: The extensive meadows formed by Oceana help to hold shorelines in place, preventing erosion caused by waves and currents.
Water Filtration: These seagrasses act as natural filters, improving water quality by trapping sediments and nutrients.
Distribution:
- Widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans
- Also found in the Caribbean Sea, western Atlantic Ocean, and parts of the eastern Atlantic Ocean
Conservation Status:
- Listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Faces threats from coastal development, pollution, and climate change impacts
Despite its small size, Oceana serrulata plays a vital role in coastal ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity, primary productivity, and ecosystem services. Its slender morphology and adaptations, such as tolerance of varying salinities and efficient vegetative reproduction, allow it to thrive in its preferred habitats.