Ruppia cirrhosa

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
PLANTAE	TRACHEOPHYTA	LILIOPSIDA	NAJADALES	POTAMOGETONACEAE

Scientific Name:

Ruppia cirrhosa

Species Authority:

(Petagna) Grande

Common Name/s:

English	–	Species code: Rc, Spiral Ditchgrass
French	–	Rupelle de trapani, Rupelle spiralée, Ruppie de trapani

Synonym/s:

Buccaferrea cirrhosa Petagna

Ruppia cirrhosa (Petagna) Grande subspecies longipes (Hagstr.) Á. Löve

Ruppia drepanensis Tineo

Ruppia maritima L. subspecies drepanensis (Tin.) Maire & Weiller

Ruppia maritima L. subspecies spiralis (Dumort.) Asch. & Graebn.

Ruppia spiralis Dumort.

Ruppia trichoides Durieu

Taxonomic Notes:

The taxonomy of the Ruppia genus is confused. This species can be extremely morphologically variable and respond to differing environmental conditions and therefore species identifications often link to differences in environmental conditions. Flower morphology and genetic studies are needed to evaluate the distribution limits of this species (Larkum et al. 2006). Ruppia cirrhosa is often misidentified as Ruppia maritima and is currently under taxonomic review.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published:	2010
Assessor/s:	Short, F.T., Carruthers, T.J.R., Waycott, M., Kendrick, G.A., Fourqurean, J.W., Callabine, A., Kenworthy, W.J. & Dennison, W.C.
Reviewer/s:	Livingstone, S., Harwell, H. & Carpenter, K.E.
Contributor/s:
Justification: This is a hardy and abundant seagrass and has no known threats. Although there are some taxonomic issues due to problems with identification, because it is relatively widespread and fast to colonise and grow, it is listed as Least Concern.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Ruppia cirrhosa is found in South Africa, the eastern North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Its distribution is unclear due to taxonomic confusion with Ruppia maritima.
Countries:	Native: Denmark; France; Ireland; Italy; Norway; Portugal; South Africa; Spain; Tunisia
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:	Native: Atlantic – northeast; Atlantic – southeast; Mediterranean and Black Sea
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species is abundant within its range. There is no specific population information available and work is need on its taxonomy before accurate distribution information can be developed.
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	In western Europe, this species occurs in brackish water sites, such as low-salinity ponds and mesohaline to polyhaline coastal lagoons. This species is rare in marine conditions. Abundance of this species can fluctuate considerably seasonally, and during severe winters it may disappear completely (Green and Short 2003). It is a fast growing species and colonises rapidly.
Systems:	Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There are no major threats to this species.

Major Threat(s):

There are no major threats to this species.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	There are no specific conservation measures for this species.

Conservation Actions:

There are no specific conservation measures for this species.

Citation:	Short, F.T., Carruthers, T.J.R., Waycott, M., Kendrick, G.A., Fourqurean, J.W., Callabine, A., Kenworthy, W.J. & Dennison, W.C. 2010. Ruppia cirrhosa. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 June 2013.
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