{{Short description|Genus of algae}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = Turtle weed, Chlorodesmis fastigiata, at 6 meters depth.jpg | image_caption = Turtle weed, ''Chlorodesmis fastigiata'', at 6 meters depth | taxon = Chlorodesmis | authority = Harvey & Bailey, 1841 | type_species = ''Chlorodesmis comosa'' | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision_ref = <ref name="Algaebase">{{cite web | url = http://www.algaebase.org/browse/taxonomy/?id=8078 | publisher = AlgaeBase version 4.2 World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway | access-date = 2007-09-24 | title = Genus: ''Chlorodesmis'' taxonomy browser |author1=Guiry, M.D. |author2=Guiry, G.M. | year = 2007 }}</ref> | subdivision = * ''Chlorodesmis baculifera'' * ''Chlorodesmis caespitosa'' * ''Chlorodesmis dotyi'' * ''Chlorodesmis fastigiata'' * ''Chlorodesmis haterumana'' * ''Chlorodesmis hildebrandtii'' * ''Chlorodesmis major'' * ''Chlorodesmis mexicana'' * ''Chlorodesmis papenfussii'' * ''Chlorodesmis sinensis'' }} [[File:Turtle weed, Chlorodesmis fastigiata, with zooidangia.jpg|thumb|left|File:Turtle weed, ''Chlorodesmis fastigiata, with'' zooidangia]]
'''''Chlorodesmis''''' is a genus of green algae in the family Udoteaceae.<ref name="Algaebase"/> Algae in this genus produce the toxic diterpene chlorodesmin to defend themselves against generalist herbivores<ref>Annu. Rev. Mar. Sci. 2009. 1:193-212. Marine Chemical Ecology: Chemical Signals and Cues Structure Marine Populations, Communities, and Ecosystems</ref> This toxin also kills certain corals that touch the alga. Certain fish like the green coral goby that live in the corals eat the alga to enhance their own toxicity. Other coral dwelling fish like Paragobiodon echinocephalus actively trim the alga even though they don't eat it.<ref name=Dixson2012>{{Cite journal | last1 = Dixson | first1 = D. L. | last2 = Hay | first2 = M. E. | doi = 10.1126/science.1225748 | title = Corals Chemically Cue Mutualistic Fishes to Remove Competing Seaweeds | journal = Science | volume = 338 | issue = 6108 | pages = 804–807 | year = 2012 | pmid = 23139333| pmc = 3691814}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|1}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2709589}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Bryopsidales genera Category:Udoteaceae Category:Taxa named by Joseph Randle Bailey
{{Ulvophyceae-stub}}