Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: Florida Middle Ground (1975. USNM.217763, US National Musuum of Natural History 2022)
Geographic Extent
-Fort Pierce/FL/Atlantic Ocean (Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution 2003); Jupiter Inlet, Palm Beach County/FL/Atlantic Ocean (2001, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution 2003; LaPointe et al. 2005); Juno Beach, Palm Beach County/FL/Atlantic Ocean (2001, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution 2003; LaPointe et al. 2005); near House of Refuge, Martin County/FL/Atlantic Ocean (Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution 2003); Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County/FL/Atlantic Ocean (2001, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution 2003; LaPointe et al. 2005);; Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County/FL/Atlantic Ocean (2001, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution 2003; Boynton Beach-FL/Florida Straits 7/15/1999. USNM Algae, US National Museum of Natural History 2022; Lapointe et al. 2005); . Spanish Anchor dive site/, West Palm Beach/FL/Florida Straits (1999, USNM Botany, US, National Museum of Natural History 2022,Florida Middle Ground (1975. USNM.217763, US National Museum of Natural History 2022, Sylvia Earle collection, 27; .8333 N, -82.9667);; Florida Middle Ground (1976, USNM 217765, US National Museum of Natural History 2022, 26.416; N -82.9667 W)
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Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Alternate | Aquatic Plant Shipments |
| Alternate | Hull Fouling |
| Alternate | Ballast Water |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Competition | |
On the coast of northern Palm Beach County, Florida, from Boynton Beach to Jupiter, blooms of Caulerpa brachypus were overgrowing sponges, corals, soft corals, and native algae (Cauilerpa verticllatata, C. racemosa), forming dense mats. Stable isotope analysis suggests that submarine groundwater discharge, absorbed through C. brachypus' rhizoids, is the major source of nutrients for these blooms. The rhizoids could also intercept nutrients which would support upright, frondose algae (LaPointe et al. 2005; Lapointe and Bedford 2010). | ||
| Ecological Impact | Habitat Change | |
The dense, continuous mats formed by Caulerpa brachypus cover sponges and corals, and displace taller frondose algae (LaPointe and Bedford 2010), probably erasing refuge habitats for small invertebrates and fishes. | ||