Species Regional Summary
Kappaphycus alvarezii
None ( SP-XXI )

Invasion History Vectors Impacts References

Invasion

Invasion Description

1st Record: Honolulu, Oahu/HI/Honolulu Harbor (1974, Rodgers 1999)

Geographic Extent

Honolulu, Oahu/HI/Honolulu Harbor (1974, Rodgers 1999); Moku 0 Lo'e, Oahu/HI/Kane'ohe Bay (1974, Rodgers 1999); Coconut Island, Oahu/HI/Kane'ohe Bay (1975, Carlton and Eldredge 2009); Oahu/HI/Kane'ohe Bay (1974, Rodgers 1999, common to abundant on patch reefs, also ocurring in variable abundance on fringing reefs (Smith 2002; Bahr et al. 2015).

Vectors

Level Vector
Probable Fisheries Accidental (not Oyster)

Regional Impacts

Ecological ImpactCompetition
In Kane'ohe Bay, 'In some areas this organism is clearly competitively dominant, occupying up to 80% of the substrate. Because of its large stature, Kappaphycus also appears to be competing with coral and may be able to overgrow live coral colonies.' (Smith et al. 2002).
 
Ecological ImpactFood/Prey
Kappaphycus spp. is a less preferred item for herbivorus fishes in Kane'ohe Bay, which may contribute to its competitiveness. However, it is preferentially grazed by native sea urchins, providing a possible means of biocontrol (Conklin and Smith 2005).
 

References

Full Reference List for Kappaphycus alvarezii

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