Caulerpa taxifolia was introduced by accident
in the Mediterranean Sea around 1984. This tropical seaweed is
growing rapidly
in the
south of France from
Menton to Toulon and can be found also in Italy, Croatia
and Majorca in the balearic Islands. It is threatening
on a large scale the natural balance of the Mediterranean.
Caulerpa taxifolia introductions are now a global problem
with populations not only in the Mediterranean but also in other
parts of the world like in Australia and California. The aquarium
trade is partly responsible for spreading the entity.
Although not toxic to people, Caulerpa
taxifolia is called the "killer seaweed" because it is
choking all in its path: seaweeds, anemones, starfish,
crabs, shrimps, octopus and overall the Posidonia fields.
Where it grows, everything disappears.
The invader is the most studied species in the world, over 400
publications.
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