Small seagrass [Thalassia hemprichii]
Description
A seagrass species that is predominantly found in the western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. It forms dense underwater meadows in shallow waters, usually not deeper than 10 feet. Its leaves are narrower and shorter than those of Thalassia testudinum, generally up to 8 inches long. It is a primary food source for dugongs and green sea turtles and provides shelter for many small fish and invertebrates.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Seagrasses
Anthophyta
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Seagrasses
Anthophyta
|
| Order |
Eelgrasses
Zosterales
|
| Family |
Frog's-bit
Hydrocharitaceae
|
| Genus |
Thalassia
Thalassia
|