Expansion of the invasive algae Caulerpa racemosa var. Cylindracea (sonder) Verlaque, Huisman & Boudouresque, 2003 on the region of Valencia Seabed

The present study contains the results gathered from the programme monitoring the implantation of invasive species of algae in the Region of Valencia. The programme has been in operation since 1993 and consists of an annual inspection at 40 points considered to be at most risk along the coast, as well as responding to warnings given by entities and individuals. The programme was initially designed to detect the presence of Caulerpa taxifolia (Vahl) C.Agardh 1817, which has not been detected during any of the inspections carried out in the last 15 years. However, C. racemosa var. cylindracea (Sonder) Verlaque, Huisman & Boudouresque, 2003 was detected in 1999, more specifically on the approaches to the Port of Castellon de La Plana and since then it has expanded exponentially and is now present along the coast of all three Valencian provinces, with the area colonised being estimated at 168 Km2 in late 2008. The programme has also detected the presence of other invasive species of algae, namely Asparagopsis taxiformis (Delile) Trevisan de SaintLeon, 1845 and Lophocladia lallemandii (Montagne) F. Schmitz, 1893, currently present exclusively in the Islas Columbretes archipelago.

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