Abstract
The invasive alga Sargassum muticum has recently been reported in the Firth of Lorn, west coast of Scotland. This represents the first sighting of the species north of the Kintyre Peninsula, a land barrier that had been expected to slow the northwards spread of S. muticum. This paper presents a thorough review of literature concerning the dispersal and establishment of this invasive alga and predicts potential dispersal trajectories and likely areas for future establishment in Scotland. From previous dispersal rates, S. muticum is likely to spread throughout the west coast of Scotland in the next few years, predominantly via natural pathways although anthropogenic vectors may also contribute to dispersal. Sheltered and moderately exposed sea lochs and shorelines, on the west coast of Scotland in particular, are likely to provide favourable conditions for the establishment of persistent populations of S. muticum. Conditions on the north and east coasts of Scotland were considered less favourable, both for the dispersal and establishment of S. muticum. The spread of S. muticum is unlikely to cause serious widespread ecological impacts, however, it does have the potential to cause economic damage to the aquaculture industry which is a major employer on the west coast of Scotland. The establishment of dense highly visible canopies would also constitute a degradation of the natural heritage value of Scottish shorelines. It would be prudent to investigate means of preventing persistent populations from establishing in areas of economic importance or with high natural heritage value.
Highlights
Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt is well known as a successful invasive species (Critchley et al 1990)
S. muticum was first recorded in UK waters attached to boulders in Bembridge, east coast of the Isle of Wight in 1973 (Farnham et al 1973, Jones and Farnham 1973, Fletcher and Fletcher 1975a, b) (Figure 1) and it subsequently extended its range along the entire south coast of England (Critchley et al 1983)
A northward expansion of its range has been recorded along the western coasts of the UK, with S. muticum recorded on the north coast of Cornwall in 1991 (Eno et al 1997, Davison and Hughes 1998), Pembrokeshire in 1998 (Davison 1999) and north to Anglesey by 2001 (ICES 2006)
Summary
Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt is well known as a successful invasive species (Critchley et al 1990). It has been noted that the appearance of drifting plants in an area has often been followed by the appearance of an established attached population (Deysher and Norton 1982, Critchley et al 1983) some 2-3 years later (Rueness 1989). Dispersal by drift is thought to have been largely responsible for the spread of S. muticum from its initial points of introduction along the Pacific coast of North America (Norton 1978).
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