Morphological variation ofUlvain the Avon‐Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch

Abstract

Morphological variation of Ulva from the Avon‐Heathcote Estuary (43° 32’ S, 172° 44’ E) and other estuarine environments in the South Island of New Zealand has been followed in the field and in the laboratory over a 3‐y period. Results indicate that specimens which at some stages of growth fit diagnosis for Ulva lactuca, U. lacluca var. rigida, U. lactuca var. lacinulata, U. latissima and U. laingii comprise a single species and are best referred to U. lactuca. In the U. laingii form, the variation in morphology could be related to the lower salinity of its habitat.