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Sea Pearl/Sailor's Eyeball - Valonia ventricosa An interesting green algae, the Sea Pearl/Sailor's Eyeball - Valonia ventricosa is easily recognized and may grow solitarily or in clusters. with each sphere attached by minute hair-like rhizoids. The spheres, resembling shiny marbles, are up to 5 cm in diameter, yet each is only a single cell - one of the largest cells known in the natural world. They are very tough, making it unattractive to herbivores. Coron,Geotagged,Palawan,Philippines,Sailor's Eyeball,Sea Pearl,Spring,Valonia ventricosa Click/tap to enlarge PromotedSpecies introCountry intro

Sea Pearl/Sailor's Eyeball - Valonia ventricosa

An interesting green algae, the Sea Pearl/Sailor's Eyeball - Valonia ventricosa is easily recognized and may grow solitarily or in clusters. with each sphere attached by minute hair-like rhizoids. The spheres, resembling shiny marbles, are up to 5 cm in diameter, yet each is only a single cell - one of the largest cells known in the natural world. They are very tough, making it unattractive to herbivores.

    comments (4)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
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    That is absolutely fascinating! Posted 8 years ago
    1. View Albert Kang's profile
      Albert Kang
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      Yes, Ferdy.
      For those who will read up about them, they are an amazing Organism but often overlooked, even by me in the early days! ha ha.
      Will post more of them from sightings in Malaysia and Philippines.
       Posted 8 years ago
  3. View Ruth Spigelman's profile
    Ruth Spigelman
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    A 5 cm single cell - that is truly astonishing. What a fascinating organism. Posted 6 years ago
    1. View Albert Kang's profile
      Albert Kang
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      Yes, it is.
      Equally interesting is the Mermaid's Wine Glass, which is also a Single Cell Organism, but you wouldn't think so seeing it. Check them out here :

      Mermaid's Wine Glass - Acetabularia major This Acetabularia major algae looks like underwater fungi, the stalk is around 3-4 cm and the green cap is around 1 cm in diameter. They are usually found in shallow sandy bottom.<br /> <br /> Generally, the Acetabularia algae are fondly referred to as Mermaid's Wine Glass.<br /> <br /> Despite their look, they are a Single-Cell Organism. It comprised of three anatomical parts: a bottom rhizoid that resembles a set of short roots; a long stalk in the middle; and a top umbrella of branches that may fuse into a cap. The single nucleus of Acetabularia is located in the rhizoid, and allows the cell to regenerate completely if its cap is removed. The caps of two Acetabularia may also be exchanged, even from two different species. In addition, if a piece of the stem is removed, with no access to the nucleus in the rhizoid, this isolated stem piece will also grow a new cap. Acetabularia major,Anilao,Batangas,Geotagged,Mermaid's Wine Glass,Philippines,Sea Algae,Summer
       Posted 6 years ago

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The Sailor's Eyeball Alga

"Valonia ventricosa", also known as "bubble algae" and "sailors' eyeballs", is a species of algae found in oceans throughout the world in tropical and subtropical regions. It is one of the largest single-cell organisms.

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Similar species: Cladophorales
Species identified by Albert Kang
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By Albert Kang

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Uploaded Jul 26, 2017. Captured May 19, 2012 09:57 in Unnamed Road, Coron, Palawan, Philippines.
country flag of Philippines Explore Philippines 3,104 1,903 0
  • Canon PowerShot S95
  • f/3.5
  • 1/30s
  • ISO80
  • 6mm