Elephant’s ear, Solitary Fan Seaweed

Elephant’s ear, Solitary Fan Seaweed
English Common Name
Elephant’s ear, Solitary Fan Seaweed
Scientific name
Avrainvillea erecta
Taxonomy
Order: Bryopsidales, Family: Udoteaceae
Size
About 5 cm (the length of thallus)
Species Distribution
Within Japan, it is found near Amami Islands and southward. Outside of Japan, it is found in some areas in Southeast Asia from China to the Philippines, Micronesia, Indian Ocean and East Africa.
Okinawa Red List of Threatened Species: Near Threatened
Japan Red List of Threatened Species: Near Threatened
It inhabits sandy bottom in areas with tropical features. Including this species, genus Avrainvillea does not get covered with lime even though many species of the family Udoteaceae are known to be covered with lime.
Updated December 2018

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