Grateloupia Turuturu Research Articles

Seasonal patterns of tidepool macroalgal assemblages in the North of Portugal. Consistence between species and functional group approaches

Macroalgae are useful organisms to monitor the environmental quality and to detect impacts due to anthropogenic activities. However, it is very important to identify the scales of variation in natural assemblages, particularly for the detection of environmental impacts. Otherwise, changes due to anthropogenic impacts may be confused with differences due to natural temporal variability. Another important task is to determine the appropriate level of taxonomical effort needed to detect changes in the assemblage structure. Many taxonomical surrogates, at higher taxonomic levels than that of species, have been proposed but, the consistence in space and time of the results produced by surrogates with those obtained at specific level should be tested. The objectives of this study are to identify the seasonal patterns of tidepool macroalgal communities using objective procedures and to test the consistence between the patterns obtained considering data at the species level and functional groups. Results showed that the seasonal pattern obtained using functional groups and species was consistent. Tidepool macroalgal assemblages showed a seasonal pattern with significant differences between spring–summer and autumn–winter. This pattern can be explained by changes in environmental variables and the seasonal development of the dominating species. Ulva spp. and the non-indigenous species Grateloupia turuturu were the species responsible for this pattern due to their high seasonality in terms of biomass. Finally, the abundance and species diversity within the corticated functional group was proposed as indicator of environmental impacts due to its relatively constant abundance and its sensitivity to environmental impacts.

Distribution and population dynamics of the introduced seaweed Grateloupia turuturu (Halymeniaceae, Rhodophyta) along the Portuguese coast

Araújo R., Violante J., Pereira R., Abreu H., Arenas F. and Sousa-Pinto I. 2011. Distribution and population dynamics of the introduced seaweed Grateloupia turuturu (Halymeniaceae, Rhodophyta) along the Portuguese coast. Phycologia 50: 392–402. DOI: 10.2216/10-65.1Despite the increasing number of coastal areas invaded over the last years by the introduced seaweed Grateloupia turuturu, studies on this species are scarce worldwide, and its invasive capability and future impacts remain unexplored. In the present study, we describe the geographical distribution of the species after a few years of colonization of the Portuguese continental coastline. Additionally, we examine the structure and dynamics of one of the first population of Grateloupia in our shores. Seasonal dynamics of standing biomass, density, size structure and inequality (size variability), together with the presence of fertile fronds were investigated during one year. Grateloupia was recorded in midintertidal pools at 11 of the 36 localities sampled, two of which presenting an elevated abundance of fronds. Fronds were present during the entire year, but their size (length and biomass), density and size inequality varied seasonally reaching highest values at the beginning of the summer. The annual cycle of the population studied included a slow-growth phase in winter, a fast-growth phase during spring-early summer when some density-dependent regulation appeared to occur, as well as a dieback phase at the end of summer. In terms of fertility, abundance of fronds bearing reproductive structures were seasonally variable although carposporophytic and tetrasporophytic fronds were recorded throughout the year. The results of this work highlight some of the biological characteristics of Grateloupia turuturu that may determine its invasive nature and its possible impact on native ecosystems.

Effect of Hizkia fusiforme Okamura on the proliferation of dermal papilla celIs

This study was conducted to evaluate the hair-growth effects of seaweeds in Jeju by the proliferation of dermal papilla cells. Dermal papilla cells are mesenchymally-derived cells which play a pivotal role in the morphogenesis, regeneration, and growth of hair. Immortalized vibrissa dermal papilla cells were treated with algae extracts such as extract of Hizkia fusiform Okamura, extract of Padina arborescens Holmes, extract of Sargassum thunbergil, extract of Gelidium amansii, and extract of Grateloupia turuturu Yamada. Among them, the extract of H. fusiforme significantly increased proliferation of immortalized vibrissa dermal papilla cells. The results suggest that H. fusiforme extract has the potentiat to promote hair growth via the proliferation of dermal papilla cells.

The introduced seaweed Grateloupia turuturu (Rhodophyta, Halymeniales) in two Mediterranean transitional water systems

Lagoon environments are particularly subject to the introduction, either accidental or voluntary, of alien species that may cause biological pollution. On the basis of morphological data and molecular analyses (rbcL and mitochondrial cox2-cox3 spacer sequences) we confirmed the taxonomic identity (previously only hypothesised) of Grateloupia turuturu in both the Lagoon of Venice and the Mar Piccolo basin of Taranto, where it was most probably introduced by shellfish transfers. A detailed morphological description of vegetative and reproductive thalli is given, focusing particularly on the encrusting bases. The bases act as resting structures that are able to survive during unfavourable environmental conditions. In both the Lagoon of Venice and the Mar Piccolo of Taranto, G. turuturu does not yet exhibit invasive behaviour.

Nonculturability of the pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus in live culture of Grateloupia turuturu is associated with bacterial attachment to the algal thalli

The invasive red alga Grateloupia turuturu Yamada could turn Vibrio parahaemolyticus into nonculturable state in live algal culture. In order to elucidate the mechanism of such an effect, a series of culture experiments were performed in this investigation based on three hypothesized causes, namely bacterial attachment, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the discharge of water soluble secondary metabolic compounds. The results reveal that attachment to the thallus surface of G. turuturu was the major reason for the decrease of V. parahaemolyticus in seawater. Further investigations show that V. parahaemolyticus attachment to the surface of algal thallus in live cultures of seaweeds was a common phenomenon. However, the disappearance of the culturability of V. parahaemolyticus occurred only on the thallus of G. turuturu over 72 h among all six algal species tested. Electron microscopic scanning shows that most of V. parahaemolyticus attached to G. turuturu changed from the initial normal bacilli to coccoid-shape after 72 h. The enclosure experiments by enclosing the algal thallus in tubes demonstrate that the nonculturability of V. parahaemolyticus in the water of live culture of G. turuturu occurred after the physical contact of the V. parahaemolyticus to the alga. The capacity of G. turuturu in affecting the culturability of V. parahaemolyticus was not influenced after inhibition of photosynthesis by treatment of 3′-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1′,1′-dimethyl urea (DCMU) at non-lethal levels. Production of reactive oxygen species after addition of live culture of bacteria was excluded by on-line analyzing the oxidation of dichlorohydrofluorescein (DCFH) to dichlorofluorescein (DCF) in the presence of peroxidase on a VersaFluor fluorometer.

Secondary metabolites from Grateloupia turuturu and their chemotaxonomic significance

Secondary metabolites from Grateloupia turuturu and their chemotaxonomic significance

Production and regeneration of protoplasts from Grateloupia turuturu Yamada (Rhodophyta)

Protoplasts were isolated enzymatically from the carrageenophyte red alga Grateloupia turuturu (Halymeniales, Rhodophyta) that occurs along the coast of the French Channel in Normandy. Effects of the main factors on the protoplast yield were identified to improve the isolation protocol. The optimal enzyme composition for cell wall digestion and protoplast viability consisted of 2% cellulase Onozuka R-10, 0.5% macerozyme R-10, 2% crude extract from viscera of Haliotis tuberculata, 0.8 M mannitol, 20 mM sodium citrate, 0.3% bovine serum albumin at 25°C, and 4-h incubation period. The protoplasts were approximately 5–15 μm in diameter, liberated mainly from the surface cell layers. Maximum yield was 1.5 × 107 protoplasts g-1 fresh tissue. The protoplasts underwent initial division after 14 days with a high density level of 1 × 106 cells mL-1 in culture medium and developed into microthalli of a line of two to six cells.

Effects of habitat-modifying invasive macroalgae on epiphytic algal communities

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 400:87-100 (2010) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08391 Effects of habitat-modifying invasive macroalgae on epiphytic algal communities Emily Jones1,2,*, Carol S. Thornber1 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, USA 2Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California Davis, Bodega Bay, California 94923, USA *Email: emjones@ucdavis.edu ABSTRACT: Although invasive species can negatively impact communities via processes such as resource competition, they may also add new resources that facilitate the distribution and/or abundance of other organisms. In rocky intertidal systems, many benthic macroalgae compete for primary substrate, while providing secondary substrata to which sessile organisms can attach. Using field surveys and laboratory experiments, we investigated algal host–epiphyte dynamics in a New England rocky intertidal system. First, we compared the composition, abundance, richness, and diversity of epiphytes on 2 invasive macroalgal species, Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides and Grateloupia turuturu, to 2 native macroalgal species, Chondrus crispus and Fucus vesiculosus. We found significant differences among epiphyte communities, as all macroalgal hosts supported different assemblages of species. While epiphyte richness and diversity were generally low on F. vesiculosus and G. turuturu year-round, they were low on C. crispus during the winter only. In contrast, epiphyte richness and diversity on C. fragile remained high throughout the year, suggesting that C. fragile plays an important role for supporting epiphytes during the cooler months. Second, we examined the relationship between epiphytes and a common herbivorous snail, Lacuna vincta. The abundance of juvenile L. vincta was positively correlated with 1 of the 2 most common epiphyte species, Neosiphonia harveyi. However, L. vincta showed a significant consumption preference for the other abundant epiphyte, Ceramium virgatum, in laboratory assays. Our results suggest that epiphyte facilitation by these invasive algal hosts is not only seasonally important for maintaining species richness and diversity, but may also provide both food and habitat for higher trophic levels. KEY WORDS: Invasive macroalgae · Epiphyte · Habitat-modification · Codium fragile · Grateloupia turuturu · Lacuna vincta Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Jones E, Thornber CS (2010) Effects of habitat-modifying invasive macroalgae on epiphytic algal communities. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 400:87-100. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08391 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 400. Online publication date: February 11, 2010 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2010 Inter-Research.

An efficient synthesis of cholesterol formate

Cholesterol formate is an important compound in the chemistry of steroids. It is used in biochemical investiga tions of model membrane vesicles.1 Recently, cholesterol formate has been isolated from the red alga Grateloupia turuturu Yamada and this may be of chemotaxonomic sig nificance for this organism.2 This compound is employed as a component in liquid crystal optical filters.3 Formyl protection is widely used in cholesterol chemistry because of its selective removal under mild conditions (K2CO3, methanol, 20 °C) in the presence of other ester protecting groups.4 That is why a search for new convenient routes to cholesterol formate is of relentless interest. Common reagents employed for O formylation of cho lesterol include DMF—benzoyl chloride,5 DMF—tri arylphosphine—halogen,6 EtOCHO—Cu(NO3)2•3H2O, 7 MeOCHO—Ph3P—CBr4, 8 CCl3CHO—K2CO3, 9 EtOCHO—PCl3—SiO2), 10 and DMF—POCl3. 11 Usual ly, they are used in large molar excesses with respect to cholesterol. For instance, formylation of cholesterol with DMF—POCl3 (the Vilsmeier complex), which is poorly reproducible and inefficient for alcohols,5 is carried out in the presence of its four to fivefold molar excess (~20 °C, 3 h, 64% yield).11 In our recent synthesis of 1 vinylpyrrole 2 carbalde hydes,12 we found that the complex DMF—oxalyl chlo ride is a milder and more efficient formylating reagent than the classic Vilsmeier system. Our investigations in the borderland between the chem istry of pyrroles and steroids,13 including novel approach es to their vinylation14 and formylation,12,15 led us to a con venient and efficient route to cholesterol formate. At a molar ratio cholesterol : DMF—oxalyl chloride of 1 : 1.5, the re action in CH2Cl2 at ~20 °C is completed in 40 min to give the target product in 97% yield (Scheme 1).

Stress tolerance and antioxidant enzymatic activities in the metabolisms of the reactive oxygen species in two intertidal red algae Grateloupia turuturu and Palmaria palmata

This investigation was designed to compare the differential stress tolerance in young thalli of two similar intertidal red seaweeds, Grateloupia turuturu Yamada and Palmaria palmata Kuntze, and to identify whether the invasive alga G. turuturu was more stress tolerant than P. palmata to cope with adverse environmental conditions. To do so, we measured the production of reactive oxygen caused by methyl viologen (MV) by assessing the oxidation of dichlorohydrofluorescein (DCFH) to dichlorofluorescein (DCF), the activities of reactive oxygen scavenging enzymes and the changes of the optimal fluorescence quantum yield (Fv/Fm) when the thalli of the two species were exposed to oxidative stresses caused by the addition of MV, H 2O 2, 3(3, 4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea (DCMU), heavy metal, changes of salinities, heat and freezing. Results demonstrated that the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in G. turuturu were much higher than in P. palmata. Fv/Fm in G. turuturu was less sensitive than that in P. palmata to MV, H 2O 2, DCMU, heavy metal, salinity and heat stress, indicating that G. turuturu could be better acclimatized to changing environments and thus had a higher threshold for oxidative stress than P. palmata. G. turuturu was shown to be more sensitive to freezing treatment (− 20 °C), which explained why the appearance of G. turuturu was rarely reported in colder water environments.

Study of the chemical composition of edible red macroalgae Grateloupia turuturu from Brittany (France)

The chemical composition and its seasonal variation of the red seaweed Grateloupia turuturu, an invasive macroalgae from Brittany, France, were investigated. Size, ash, protein, lipid, dietary fibre (soluble, insoluble and total), protein pigment (R-phycoerythrin, R-phycocyanin), and fatty acid content were measured in G. turuturu samples collected over 1 year (2006). The average size of this seaweed was 32.0 cm long and approximately 5.0 cm wide, while the size of the thallus was maximal in June (in length and width). On the dry weight basis, this alga was constituted of more than 18% ash, about 23% protein, 2.6% lipids, and approximately 60% dietary fibre. The most abundant fatty acids were palmitic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (52% and 12% of the fatty acid fraction, respectively). The study of seasonal variations showed that the best period to collect the seaweed for food use is between February and June.

Concentration and pre-purification with ultrafiltration of a R-phycoerythrin solution extracted from macro-algae Grateloupia turuturu: Process definition and up-scaling

Grateloupia turuturu, an invasive red macro-alga, represents an unexploited important biomass. A potential use of this seaweed is the production of valuable molecules, such as R-phycoerythrin. Nevertheless, after R-phycoerythrin extraction, protein extract has to be concentrated and pre-purified, which is generally expensive and requires many stages. The present study deals with the feasibility to implement a single stage of ultrafiltration for this purpose. A membrane screening was first realized at a lab-scale (Amicon stirred cell) to determine a suitable membrane molecular weight cut-off and a material allowing an optimal concentration and pre-purification of R-phycoerythrin contained in a hydrosoluble extract. The best adapted membrane turned out to be a polyethersulfone 30 kDa one. An up-scaling methodology was then realized on a PCI Microlab40 pilot plant equipped with an industrial type polyethersulfone 25–30 kDa membrane. The results show that R-phycoerythrin was concentrated without denaturation and accumulation of undesired molecules. Ultrafiltration up to a volume reduction factor of 5 was effective for R-phycoerythrin concentration and pre-purification: 100% of R-phycoerythrin was recovered, 32.9% of other proteins and 64.6% of sugars passed through membrane. Based on these results, a techno-economic study was investigated on an ultrafiltration unit at an industrial scale.

Effect of enzymatic digestion on thallus degradation and extraction of hydrosoluble compounds from Grateloupia turuturu

Abstract The extraction of metabolites of industrial interest from seaweed tissue is difficult due to the presence of anionic polysaccharides in the cell walls. We studied enzymatic digestion of Grateloupia turuturu (Rhodophyta) to facilitate extraction of the desired metabolites from this seaweed. Four polysaccharidases (Onozuka R-10 cellulase, agarase, κ- and ι-carrageenases) were used alone and in combination. We studied the efficiency of the enzymatic process in degrading the seaweed thallus; we also investigated the effect of the enzymatic treatment on solubilization of R-phycoerythrin and reducing sugars. The best degradation conditions for Grateloupia thalli were obtained with cellulase alone (0.48 U ml-1), or with a combination of cellulase/κ-carrageenase. However, only the combination cellulase (0.08 U ml-1)/κ-carrageenase (0.01 U ml-1), or the individual enzymes [agarase or ι-carrageenase at low concentration (0.55 U ml-1 and 2.5×10-3 U ml-1)] improved solubilization of R-phycoerythrin compared to the control conditions. The simultaneous use of polysaccharidases enabled solubilization of a large quantity of reducing sugars (40 mg glu g-1 dw). Therefore, this condition appears suitable for the production of oligosaccharides. This result also confirms indirectly the presence of agar, cellulose, κ- and ι-carrageenans in the cell wall of Grateloupia turuturu.

Comparison of different procedures for the extraction and partial purification of R-phycoerythrin from the red macroalga Grateloupia turuturu

Abstract With the aim of solubilizing R-phycoerythrin from Grateloupia turuturu, we tested the efficiency of two extraction solutions (distilled water and phosphate buffer) on fresh and freeze-dried seaweeds. Three different methods enabling a partial purification of this pigment were also tested: ammonium sulfate precipitation, separation in aqueous two-phase systems, and ultrafiltration. The best extraction and partial purification conditions for R-phycoerythrin were observed from freeze-dried algae after application of the precipitation procedure (80% ammonium sulfate). This latter protocol appears to be efficient for separating R-phycoerythrin without denaturation from most proteins and other components (such as sugars) that limit the purification of phycobiliproteins.

Rapid Assessment Surveys of Fouling and Introduced Seaweeds in the Northwest Atlantic

Rapid assessment surveys of fouling seaweed populations were conducted at 67 sites between Downeast Maine and Staten Island, New York during August of 2000, 2003, and 2005, plus July–August of 2007. A total of 126 taxa were recorded, including 29 Chlorophyceae, 31 Phaeophyceae, 55 Rhodophyceae, four Cyanophyceae, one Xanthophyceae, and six macroscopic colonial diatoms (Bacillariophyceae). Several species were fast-growing nuisance organisms (e.g., Ulva spp.), while seven were introduced taxa. Four introduced species originated from Asia either directly or secondarily (Codium fragile subsp. fragile, Grateloupia turuturu, Neosiphonia harveyi, and Bonnemaisonia hamifera), two were from Europe (Lomentaria clavellosa and L. orcadensis), and one from the North Pacific (Melanosiphon intestinalis). Neosiphonia harveyi was the most widely distributed introduced taxon, occurring at 48 sites (71.6%), while L. clavellosa and L. orcadensis were only found at 3 sites (4.5%). Repeated observations (i.e., 2000, 2003, and 2007) at three sites in Massachusetts documented a recent rapid expansion of the invasive red alga G. turuturu into the Gulf of Maine through the Cape Cod Canal. The numbers of taxa per site were highest between Maine and Massachusetts (28–42 taxa) and lowest (1–13 taxa) in southern New England and New York, presumably because of increased loading of various pollutants within Long Island Sound and near New York City. The highest mean (± SD) number of taxa per state was recorded in New Hampshire (28.8 ± 8.0) and the lowest in Rhode Island (7.1 ± 3.6). The green and red algae exhibited peak numbers in New Hampshire (i.e. 9.0 ± 3.1 and 11.6 ± 5.1), while brown algae were maximal in New Hampshire (8.2 ± 1.1) and Maine (7.8 ± 3.4) and much lower in Connecticut (1.0 ± 1), Rhode Island (1.1 ± 2.9), and New York (1.2 ± 1.0). Fifty-four species were limited to 1–3 sites (1.5–4.7%), while only 7 occurred at > 50% of the sites. The most ubiquitous seaweeds included three opportunistic green algae (U. intestinalis, U. lactuca, and Blidingia minima), two perennial browns (Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum), and the introduced Asiatic red alga, N. harveyi. Thirty-six taxa were restricted to individual states (31.3%), with Massachusetts exhibiting the highest number of unique taxa (17 or 14.8%) and Connecticut and New York the lowest (one taxon each or 0.9%). Massachusetts also had the highest number of total and mean shared species (86 and 43.3 ± 10.7, respectively), while Connecticut had the opposite pattern (18 total and 15.0 ± 7.5 shared taxa). Cheney's floristic ratio indicated that seaweeds restricted to the north of the Cape Cod Canal formed a cold-water flora, while those limited to the south of the Canal were somewhat less boreal. Most taxa from each state were annuals and exhibited cosmopolitan local distributional patterns, occurring in both open coastal and estuarine sites.

Anti-microfouling activities in extracts of two invasive algae: Grateloupia turuturu and Sargassum muticum

Abstract Marine macroalgae are particularly prone to epiphytism. The colonisation of their surface may lead to severe perturbations and sometimes to the death of the host. To protect themselves against settling and/or competing organisms, many algae have developed defences against fouling by producing a wide variety of chemically active metabolites. The goal of this study was to investigate potential anti-microfouling activities of two introduced algal species from the Brittany coast (France), Sargassum muticum (Phaeophyceae) and Grateloupia turuturu (Rhodophyceae). Thus, a complete study of the antimicrobial activities of extracts (aqueous, acetone, chloroform, dichloromethane, diethyl-ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol 96°, hexane and methanol) from S. muticum and G. turuturu against marine fouling bacteria (5 strains), fungi (5 strains) and biofilm-associated microphytobenthic strains (5) were performed. The most active extract of G. turuturu was the dichloromethane fraction, while the chloroform extract from S. muticum showed some good results. Our data suggest that these macroalgae can provide useful compounds or templates for industrial anti-microfouling applications.

An evaluation of methods for quantifying the enzymatic degradation of red seaweed Grateloupia turuturu

For better exploitation of the red seaweed Grateloupia, enzymatic digestion of the thallus may be a way to increase access to metabolites of industrial interest. With this aim, we have tried to find a method to quantify the efficiency of enzymatic digestion. Vegetative algal material was treated with polysaccharidases (Onozuka R-10 cellulase, agarase, and Ultraflo L mixture). The proportion of degraded surface area was determined by microscopic measurement of the residue surface using imaging software and compared with the analysis of carbohydrates and R-phycoerythrin released in the incubation solution. Both the reducing carbohydrate concentration and percentage of degraded surface area appeared the most reliable methods to study enzymatic efficiency. The amount of solubilized total carbohydrates, and particularly that of R-phycoerythrin, showed non-specific variations, so no conclusions could be drawn. The application of this procedure to the screening of the efficient digestion of Grateloupia material demonstrated that cell walls were only partially digested by polysaccharidase enzymes alone. The Ultraflo L mixture and Onozuka R-10 cellulase produced a greater degradation of Grateloupia tissues and a higher release of reducing carbohydrates, whereas agarase did not display any specific action. Thus, the proposed procedure based on the quantification of residue surface area seems to be an accurate method to analyze enzymatic digestion. Other tests using different concentrations and combinations of enzymes are now required.

Multiple assessments of introduced seaweeds in the Northwest Atlantic

Abstract Mathieson, A. C., Pederson, J. R., Neefus, C. D., Dawes, C. J., and Bray, T. L. 2008. Multiple assessments of introduced seaweeds in the Northwest Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 730–741. Historical and recent floristic studies, rapid assessment surveys, and molecular investigations were used to evaluate the occurrence of 20 seaweeds introduced to the Northwest Atlantic, including 2 green, 4 brown, and 14 red algae. Based on floristic comparisons of Mount Desert Island and Casco Bay, ME, from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, some initial records of seaweed introductions were documented, as well as increased numbers of non-indigenous taxa. Detailed floristic studies in southern ME and NH from the mid-1960s to 2007 have revealed expansive patterns for two Asiatic taxa (Codium fragile subsp. tomentosoides and Neosiphonia harveyi). Rapid assessment surveys conducted between the Bay of Fundy and Long Island, NY, during four summers (2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007) revealed seven introduced species and a recent expansion of the Asiatic red alga Grateloupia turuturu into the Gulf of Maine. Molecular evaluations confirmed the presence of several cryptic introduced species of Porphyra from Asia. A synopsis of the dates of introduction, probable vectors, and sources of these 20 introduced taxa in the Northwest Atlantic is given, as well as comparisons of numbers of non-indigenous taxa from other geographies.

The Asian red seaweed Grateloupia turuturu (Rhodophyta) invades the Gulf of Maine

We report the invasion of the Gulf of Maine, in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, by the largest red seaweed in the world, the Asian Grateloupia turuturu. First detected in 1994 in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, south of Cape Cod, this alga had expanded its range in the following years only over to Long Island and into Long Island Sound. In July 2007 we found Grateloupia in the Cape Cod Canal and as far north (east) as Boston, Massachusetts, establishing its presence in the Gulf of Maine. Grateloupia can be invasive and may be capable of disrupting low intertidal and shallow subtidal seaweeds. The plant's broad physiological tolerances suggest that it will be able to expand possibly as far north as the Bay of Fundy. We predict its continued spread in North America and around the world, noting that its arrival in the major international port of Boston may now launch G. turuturu on to new global shipping corridors.

Invasive marine red alga introduced to New Zealand waters: First record of Grateloupia turuturu (Halymeniaceae, Rhodophyta)

The red alga Grateloupia turuturu is recorded from New Zealand waters for the first time. This species, native to Japan, is considered to be invasive in western Europe, North America, and Tasmania. The occurrence of G. turuturu is confirmed by molecular analysis of chloroplast‐encoded rbcL and mitochondrial cox2–3 spacer sequences as well as the vegetative and reproductive anatomy of both tetrasporophyte and gametophyte specimens.