Article
A worrying arrival: the first record of brown macroalga Rugulopteryx okamurae in Madeira Island and its invasive risk
Author/s | Bernal Ibáñez, Alejandro
Chebaane, Sahar Sempere Valverde, Juan Faria, João Ramalhosa, Patrício Kaufmann, Manfred Florido Capilla, Marta Cacabelos, Eva |
Department | Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Zoología |
Publication Date | 2022 |
Deposit Date | 2023-05-24 |
Published in |
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Abstract | The brown macroalgae Rugulopteryx okamurae is described as one of the most
severe and threatening invasive marine macroalgae in European waters. This study
reports the first record of R. okamurae in the Madeira archipelago, ... The brown macroalgae Rugulopteryx okamurae is described as one of the most severe and threatening invasive marine macroalgae in European waters. This study reports the first record of R. okamurae in the Madeira archipelago, which represents a new southern distribution limit of this species in NE Atlantic European waters. Morphological and molecular characters were used to confirm the species' identity, and its potential invasion risk in Madeiran waters was screened using the standard risk assessment tool AS-ISK. Results show that R. okamurae has a medium-high risk of becoming invasive in Madeira Island under present and future climate scenarios. The greater risk of impact involves suppressing local species growth and the modification and degradation of local habitats, including trophic cascade effects. However, environmental and commercial impacts could also occur in case of an explosion of the invasive populations. This new introduction in Madeira coastal waters emphasises the need for regular monitoring of R. okamurae, particularly to assess population dynamics to avoid establishing and further expansions. Finally, we recommend the evaluation of the possible derived impacts affecting rocky coastal communities and adopting the necessary mitigation measures and policies. |
Funding agencies | MIMAR+ Fundo Azul Madeira 14-20 Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICINN). España Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Portugal |
Project ID. | MAC2/4.6.d/249
FA_06_2017_067 M1420-09-5369-FSE-000002 UIDB/04292/2020 CEECINST/00098/2018 |
Citation | Bernal Ibáñez, A., Chebaane, S., Sempere Valverde, J., Faria, J., Ramalhosa, P., Kaufmann, M.,...,Cacabelos, E. (2022). A worrying arrival: the first record of brown macroalga Rugulopteryx okamurae in Madeira Island and its invasive risk. BioInvasions Records, 11 (4), 912-924. https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2022.11.4.10. |
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