Thalassia testudinum Temporal range:
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Turtle grass meadow in San Salvador Island | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Alismatales |
Family: | Hydrocharitaceae |
Genus: | Thalassia |
Species: | T. testudinum
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Binomial name | |
Thalassia testudinum |
Thalassia testudinum, commonly known as turtlegrass,[3] is a species of marine seagrass. It forms meadows in shallow sandy or muddy locations in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.[4] Turtle grass and other seagrasses form meadows which are important habitats and feeding grounds. The grass is eaten by turtles and herbivorous fish, supports many epiphytes, and provides habitat for juvenile fish and many invertebrate taxa.