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Sea slug disperses the invasive Caulerpa taxifolia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2001

Ante Z˘uljevic ,
Thierry Thibaut ,
Hind Elloukal  and
Alexandre Meinesz
Ante Z˘uljevic
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Benthos, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Set. I. Mes˘trovica 63, 21000 Split, Croatia
Thierry Thibaut
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Environnement Marin Littoral, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
Hind Elloukal
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Environnement Marin Littoral, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
Alexandre Meinesz
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Environnement Marin Littoral, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
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Abstract

In order to control the spread of the invasive Caulerpa taxifolia (Chlorophyta) in the Mediterranean, in situ experiments were conducted with the specialized predator Lobiger serradifalci (Mollusca: Ascoglossa=Sacoglossa). An unexpected effect of L. serradifalci on C. taxifolia was observed. Instead of destroying the algal frond, the ascoglossan cut fronds into tiny living fragments capable of regenerating. Thus, L. serradifalci may facilitate C. taxifolia dispersal instead of controlling it.

Type
Brief Report
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 81 , Issue 2 , April 2001 , pp. 343 - 344
Copyright
2001 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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