Eyelash Seaweed

Name

Eyelash Seaweed is the common name of this plant species. Its scientific name is Dione Arcuata.

Status
Eyelash seaweed is critically endangered. More research is needed as it is unclear whether or not this species exists and it may already be extinct.

Physical description
Eyelash Seaweed commonly gets its name from it’s size. This microscopic seaweed is the size and shape of an eyelash.

Reproduction
Eyelash Seaweed is an asexual organisms, which reproduces by forming tiny spores. It creates spores for many things, including the ability to survive in its storm-lashed environment.

Habitat/Location
This seaweed is so rare that in the whole of New Zealand it’s found in Kaikoura beach in the South Island of New Zealand.  It lives on 2 boulders located on opposite sides of the beach. It’s only found on summer rocks at extremely low tides.

Reasons species is endangered
This species is in danger of going extinct because of an earthquake that took place in 2016. It shifted the sea bed leaving the 2 different boulder sites under the sites (where the seaweed breeds) undersea level. It also has not been found in any other beach in New Zealand. However there are many other reasons it is endangered including coastal subdivision, pollution, flood sediments, and erosion.

Conservation Measures

Nothing has been done to conserve this species of seaweed, as very little is known about seaweed itself. Only 45% of seaweed is shown in museums and only 5 or less species. As Eyelash seaweed is only a minimum amount and is rarely sighted, little is known about this species. 

Future outlook

Because there is nothing done about conserving this seaweed and the species only is found on 2 boulders. It is highly likely that this species will soon be going extinct sometime soon, unless serious measures are taken immediately.