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Rugulopteryx (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae), a genus recently introduced to the Mediterranean
Verlaque, M.; Steen, F.; De Clerck, O. (2009). Rugulopteryx (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae), a genus recently introduced to the Mediterranean. Phycologia 48(6): 536-542. dx.doi.org/10.2216/08-103.1
In: Phycologia. International Phycological Society: Odense. ISSN 0031-8884; e-ISSN 2330-2968
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open Marine Archive 231707 [ download pdf ]

Keywords
    Rugulopteryx okamurae (E.Y.Dawson) I.K.Hwang, W.J.Lee & H.S.Kim, 2009 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Rugulopteryx okamurae; Marine algae; Species introduction; France;

Authors  Top 
  • Verlaque, M.
  • Steen, F.
  • De Clerck, O.

Abstract
    The introduction of a common Western Pacific representative of the Dictyotales, Rugulopteryx okamurae (Dawson) I.K. Hwang et al., in european waters was demonstrated for the first time. The species was collected in the coastal lagoon of Thau (France, Mediterranean) in 2002. The specimens from Europe are described and compared with R. okamurae. Their conspecificity with northwest Pacific populations is confirmed based on morphological and comparative sequence analysis of the plastid-encoded psbA gene. Rugulopteryx okamurae is probably introduced in the Thau lagoon along with Japanese oysters, Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg 1793), imported into Europe for mariculture purposes. Since its introduction, although reproductive structures were not observed, R. okamurae has established self-sustaining populations without displaying an invasive behaviour. Rugulopteryx okainurae can be expected to turn up wherever C. gigas is reared.

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