Num 34 August 2012.    POLIBOTANICA 34:127-136

ISSN 1405-2768

PRESENCE OF EUROPEAN ALGAE CLADOSTEPHUS SPONGIOSUS (HUDSON) C. AGARDH (SPHACELARTIALES, OCHROPHYTA) IN BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA, MEXICO: INTRODUCED SPECIE

L.E. Aguilar-Rosas1, F. Núñez-Cebrero1 y C.V. Aguilar-Rosas2

1Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, 2 Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Km 107 Carretera Tijuana Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, México, CP 22830. Correo electrónico: aguilarl@uabc.edu.mx

Abstract

The brown algae Cladostephus spongiosus (Hudson) C. Agardh which is native from England, has recently been reported in Mexico. This introduced species deserves special attention. In order to understand its distribution along the Mexican Pacific coast, sampling campaigns were carried out in 2006 and 2010 Sebastián Vizcaíno Bay and surrounding areas. A literature review and herbaria specimens were carried out to obtain information and records. We found that the C. spongiosus distribution is restricted mainly to Sebastián Vizcaíno Bay. Its distribution range is extended westward in the Mexican Pacific coast with 360 km of fishing area Queen, Baja California Sur to Guadalupe Island, Baja California. We observed juvenile and reproductive thalli in C. spongiosus populations attached to rocks and also specimens deposited on the beach, indicating that the colonization of this species is not limited to spread beyond its current distribution range.

Key words: introduced species, brown algae, dispersion, Pacific.

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