Main Ref.	Trono, G.C. Jr., 2001
Appearance refers to

Sex attributes

specialized organs
different appearance
different colors
remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Diagnosis	A highly variable species. The typical variety is characterized by short erect branches bearing crowded ramuli with short stalks and oval or spherical tips. The arrangement and shape of the ramuli differ among the numerous varieties.The ramuli can be sparse or dense, arranged radially, alternately, pinnately or irregular on the erect branch. The distal portion of the ramuli can be clavate, turbinate, globose truncate, or sometimes discoid. Plants growing on sandy substrate in calm, turbid water of the reef flat tend to have long erect branches densely covered with clavate or capitate ramuli while those growing on rocky-wave exposed portions of the reef possess strong short erect branches which bear crowded ramuli with spherical or globose tips. Erect branches up to 10 cm in height (Ref. 80758).
Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Caulerpa racemosa

Lateral Lines	Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No.	Dorsal
	Ventral
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral	Attributes
	spines
	soft-rays
Pelvics	Attributes
	Position
	spines
	soft-rays