RT journal article
T1 A worrying arrival: the first record of brown macroalga Rugulopteryx okamurae in Madeira Island and its invasive risk
A1 Bernal-Ibáñez, Alejandro
A1 Chebaane, Sahar
A1 Sempere-Valverde, Juan
A1 Faria, João
A1 Ramalhosa, Patrício
A1 Kaufmann, Manfred
A1 Florido, Marta
A1 Albert-Fonseca, Andrea
A1 Canning-Clode, João
A1 Gestoso García, Ignacio José
A1 Cacabelos, Eva
A2 Biología
K1 invasive species
K1 marine bioinvasions
K1 intertidal systems
K1 ecological risk
K1 Macaronesia
AB The brown macroalgae Rugulopteryx okamurae is described as one of the most severe and threatening invasive marine macroalgae in European waters. This study reports the first record of R. okamurae in the Madeira archipelago, which represents a new southern distribution limit of this species in NE Atlantic European waters. Morphological and molecular characters were used to confirm the species' identity, and its potential invasion risk in Madeiran waters was screened using the standard risk assessment tool AS-ISK. Results show that R. okamurae has a medium-high risk of becoming invasive in Madeira Island under present and future climate scenarios. The greater risk of impact involves suppressing local species growth and the modification and degradation of local habitats, including trophic cascade effects. However, environmental and commercial impacts could also occur in case of an explosion of the invasive populations. This new introduction in Madeira coastal waters emphasises the need for regular monitoring of R. okamurae, particularly to assess population dynamics to avoid establishing and further expansions. Finally, we recommend the evaluation of the possible derived impacts affecting rocky coastal communities and adopting the necessary mitigation measures and policies.
PB REGIONAL EURO-ASIAN BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS CENTRE-REABIC
SN 2242-1300
YR 2022
FD 2022-11
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/29819
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/29819
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 15-nov-2026