OCCURRENCE OF CODIUM FRAGILE SUBSP. TOMENTOSOIDES (CHLOROPHYTA: BRYOPSIDALES) IN MARINE EMBAYMENTS OF SOUTHEASTERN AUSTRALIA

Abstract

Codium fragile (Sur.) Hariot subsp. tomentosoides (van Goor) Silva, a widespread weedy species, is reported from Australia for the first time. Specimens were initially found in June 1996 in Corner Inlet, Victoria, where the species fouled fishing nets. This invasive chlorophycean alga was subsequently found in large numbers on 30 January 1997 in Port Phillip Bay and on 9 March 1998 in Western Port, Victoria. Presumably the species is native to Japan. The alga formed dense stands on rocky substrata in intertidal or in subtidal regions. In Port Phillip Bay, the species was also found attached to the common blue mussel Mytilus edulis planulatus Lamarck, and in Western Port it was found attached to the mud oyster Ostrea angasi Sowerby. Results of this study suggest that recruitment of juvenile germlings and growth of C. fragile subsp. tomentosoides differs between populations in Port Phillip Bay and those in Western Port.