Species Regional Summary
Gracilaria vermiculophylla
None ( NEA-V )

Invasion History Vectors Impacts References

Invasion

Invasion Description

1st Record: Portugal/Ria de Aveiro lagoon (1985, Abreu et al. 2011, 40 38 N, 8 43 W, 'previously referred to as Gracilaria verrucosa (Silva, 1985; Silva et al., 2004) or G. bursa-pastoris(Matos et al., 2006; Araujo et al., 2009', cited by Abreu et al. 2011)

Geographic Extent

Bahia de A Coruna/Spain/Bay of Biscay (2003, Rueness 2005); Faro/Portugal/Rio Formosa (2004, Rueness 2005); Portugal/Ria de Aveiro lagoon (1985, Abreu et al. 2011; 2003, Cacobelos et al. 2012; Chainho et al. 2015);

Vectors

Level Vector
Alternate Oyster Accidental
Alternate Fisheries Accidental (not Oyster)
Alternate Hull Fouling
Alternate Ballast Water

Regional Impacts

Ecological ImpactCompetition
In the Ria de Aveiro, Portugal, masses of Agarophyton vermiculophyllum have overgrown and smothered the native intertidal seagrass Zostera noltei (= Nanozostera noltii), depriving the seagrass of light and reducing growth rates (Cacobelos et al. 2012).
 
Ecological ImpactFood/Prey
In the Ria de Aveiro, Portugal, overall replacement of Zostera noltei increases productivity of intertidal ecosystems, but reduces photosynthetic efficiency (Cacabelos et al. 2012).
 
Ecological ImpactHabitat Change
In the Ria de Aveiro, Portugal, masses of Agarophyton vermiculophyllum have overgrown and smothered the native intertidal seagrass Zostera noltei (= Nanozostera noltii), depriving the seagrass of light and reducing growth rates. Agarophyton vermiculophyllum appears to be one of many factors contributing the decline of seagrass communities (Cacobelos et al. 2012).
 

References

Full Reference List for Gracilaria vermiculophylla

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