Chlorodesmis

Chlorodesmis
Turtle weed, Chlorodesmis fastigiata, at 6 meters depth
Scientific classification
Clade: Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Ulvophyceae
Order: Bryopsidales
Family: Udoteaceae
Genus: Chlorodesmis
Harvey & Bailey, 1841
Type species
Chlorodesmis comosa
Species
  • Chlorodesmis baculifera
  • Chlorodesmis caespitosa
  • Chlorodesmis dotyi
  • Chlorodesmis fastigiata
  • Chlorodesmis haterumana
  • Chlorodesmis hildebrandtii
  • Chlorodesmis major
  • Chlorodesmis mexicana
  • Chlorodesmis papenfussii
  • Chlorodesmis sinensis

Chlorodesmis is a genus of green algae in the family Udoteaceae. Algae in this genus produce the toxic diterpene chlorodesmin to defend themselves against generalist herbivores This toxin also kills certain corals that touch the alga. Certain fish like the green coral goby that live in the corals eat the alga to enhance their own toxicity. Other coral dwelling fish like Paragobiodon echinocephalus actively trim the alga even though they don't eat it.

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