STAUROMEDUSAE UK

An online guide to the Stalked jellyfish (Stauromedusae) found
around the coastal waters of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Includes notes on their identification, and where and how to find them.

Scroll down and rollover titles to change screen image or click on title to view image.

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- on lowershore rock 1

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- on lowershore rock 2

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- lowershore / sun bleached 1

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- lowershore / sun bleached 2

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- lowershore / sun bleached 3

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- lowershore / sun bleached 4

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- lowershore / sun bleached 5

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- lowershore / sun bleached 6

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- lowershore / sun bleached 7

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- petrocelis on mussel 1

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- petrocelis on mussel 2

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- summer / bleached by sun 1

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- summer / bleached by sun 2

False Irish Moss or Agar weed
Mastocarpus stellatus
- summer / bleached by sun 3

Widely found aross the region; images taken at a veriety of places, these include Spit Point, Par, Cornwall, 31.03.10, and Roskilley south of Newlyn, Cornwall. 05.08.11.

Masterocarpus is an important algae for stauromedusae. Haliclystus octoradiatus is frequently recorded on it, even when the weed is above the waterline.

Scientific and European Names:
Mastocarpus stellatus, False carragheen moss, False irish moss, Gigartine, Kernwier.