Morphological characteristics and distribution ecology of Hydropuntia eucheumatoides in Ly Son Marine Protected Area, Quang Ngai province

Abstract

Hydropuntia eucheumatoides is a rare and economically significant seaweed species, categorized as Endangered in the Vietnam Red Book (2007) with the threat level: EN A1a,c,d. Deep diving technique (SCUBA) was used to explore the morphological characteristics and distribution ecology of H. eucheumatoides at the Ly Son Marine Protected Area (Quang Ngai). This seaweed had a distinctive plate-shape, hard cartilage, and branch edges with serrations or protrusions. The cells gradually increased from the outer shell to the core; cystocarps were convex on branches and carpospores were spherical. H. eucheumatoides thrived in warm, high-salinity, and transparent waters where had the moderate to strong waves. It typically grew on the seabed of coral reefs where it attached firmly to the substrate. The research findings serve as a crucial scientific foundation for efforts aimed at the conservation, restoration, and sustainable development of this seaweed resource.