These are invasive algae that seriously threaten the coastal ecosystems of southern Spain.

“HE invasive seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae recently arrived in Europe from the Western Pacific. Her Explosive expansion in coastal areas of the Bay of Cádiz, the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alborán Sea This deteriorating coastal ecosystems local and cause huge losses in ecosystem services“.

This is the first paragraph of a study conducted by researchers from the Málaga and Cádiz oceanographic centers of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO, CSIC) in collaboration with the University of Málaga and newly published in the journal ‘Phycologia’.

“We discovered for the first time large amount of sap separated from Rugulopteryx okamurae In the deep waters of the Gulf of Cádiz, Swept from the shores of the Strait of Gibraltar to the Northeast Atlantic by the exit of the Mediterranean“Get out the scientists.

Laboratory experiments showed loose macroalgae collected from deep-sea locations. alive and healthy and kept their photosynthetic capacity intact after prolonged darkness, which means that “a Tremendous resilience and invasive potential“.

Work to eliminate the invasive algae in Tarifa. Ephesus


Considering the rapid transport of healthy thallus with the exit of the Mediterranean and big savings Found in the Gulf of Cádiz basin, this Asian moss is “a Major threat to Northeast Atlantic ecosystemsIt affects not only coastal habitats, but also the deep seas,” the researchers warn.

Actually, Algal stalks found to a depth of 1,141 meters. It is currently common to find large accumulations of these invasive algae on the Andalusian coast. huge brown capes along the coastline.

Negative impact on habitats

Remains found on the coast come from the seafloor where this alga lives. When these thallus separate, they are dragged by the tides and currents towards the accretion sites. negative impact on local habitats and ecosystems.

“It’s not just beaches and shallow bottoms where the ruins will go, but also They drift into deep areas, forming huge sand piles and affecting deep-sea habitats.“, the Spanish Institution of Oceanography stated in a statement.

Working ” warns aboutgreat threat“This alludes to the deep-sea ecosystems of the Bay of Cádiz. Given this situation, the authors call and highlight the need to monitor and control invasive species in these marine ecosystems.” adopting “effective measures to mitigate adverse effects” in the region.

“The article highlights the importance of the topic. protect both shallow and deep sea ecosystems Gulf of Cadiz and protect their health and biodiversity‘ states Ángel Mateo, the first author of the study.

Chinarral beach in Algeciras (Cádiz) has been completely overrun by the invasive algae Rugulopterix okamurae. EFE:/ A. Carrasco Ragel


The authors warn that “suspended thallus, carried by the Mediterranean’s outflow from the contour channels of the Gulf of Cádiz, can become entangled with obstacles such as rocks and marine debris, as well as with motile and sessile benthic invertebrates.”

Various deep-sea habitats and associated species showed large quantities of thallus. Rugulopteryx okamurae Entangled in underwater images taken for this study.

Some of the affected species are “very sensitive to physical effects” (friction, abrasion…); for example, eight corals with delicate and hard soft bottom isidella elongata And cruciferous gracilisfollowed by other species that are more resistant to these effects, such as the flexible hard-bottomed gorgonians. fast dubia And Acanthogorgia hirsuta and sponges Paracheilinus carpenter anyone Fakelia spp.

toxic molecules

Moreover, Some of these species are on conservation lists. due to the decline they have experienced in recent years due to the growth human influence in deep seas, especially with bottom trawling.

Actually, bamboo coral isidella elongata It was included in Appendix II of the Barcelona Convention’s List of Threatened or Endangered Species and is listed by the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered and with a declining population.

numerous Rugulopteryx okamurae found to be attached to the colonies. isidella elongata It can damage them due to slow growth and fragility of this species, especially in the apical parts where polyps usually occur. The consequences of this finding are yet to be discovered,

In addition to physical damage, decomposition of the thallus can be released. toxic molecules for invertebrates that they attach themselves to or can feed on.

There are several bioactive metabolites of the terpenoid class. Rugulopteryx okamurae with toxic effects against predationfrom deterrent activity, inhibition of larval settlement, even lethal.

The work contributes proof Rugulopteryx okamurae attached to sea urchins, sea anemones, sponges and deep-sea gorgons and given the toxicity of its secondary metabolites, putative adverse effects on these animals may be produced.

“Therefore, future research should focus on its effects. Rugulopteryx okamurae not only in neritic ecosystems, but also in batials,” the authors conclude.

Reference report: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00318884.2023.2177057

Source: Informacion

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