Bull Kelp Biology

Habitat	Shallow rocky substrate and wave-exposed environments.	Velásquez et al. (2020); Hay (1994)
Distribution	Durvillaea amatheiae is found to the east of Wilson’s Promontory in Victoria and north to Tathra in southern New South Wales. Durvillaea potatorum is found west of Wilson’s Promontory and as far west as Robe on the southern Victorian coast. Both species co-occur in Tasmania, except for on King Island where only D. potatorum has been recorded. The southern limit of both species is thought to be limited by ice scour.	Velásquez et al. (2020); Fraser et al. (2010)
Growth	Rapid growth: up to 4 m in the first 2 years. Growth occurs in the apical meristem (outermost cells) at the tip of the thallus (plant).	Hay (1994)
Reproductive biology	Durvillaea spp. are dioecious (i.e. with male and female reproductive organs in separate individuals). Gametes (eggs and sperm) are stored on the blades (the leaf-like structures) of each thallus (plant) and released into the water column during reproduction. Durvillaea spp. have high reproductive potential; an individual can release 120 million ova in one night.	Velásquez et al. (2020); Hay (1994)