Killer seaweed still lurking in California Bay?

[Kalkbreath]

There is no need to eat it, It is a good place to hide, much better then the bare sea bottom, which is what most of the Med. seafloor is composed of........Even if it was plastic it would still serve as a great nursery habitat for almost every form of sea life....think of it as an artificial reef, not as dinner.........You dont find it the least bit odd that not one benificial aspect or result has been discussed in any of these studies? Even the Bleachings of 98% of the live coral in the Maldives has had a positive result {three times greater fish populations} { much more algae to eat}..........The vast majority of scientists that work on these types of research studies are solely looking for the "chicken little" findings...........Global warming is a fine example of one sided scientific focus.......how often do these researchers ponder thebenifits of warmer climate?{ NEVER} Do you truly think no positive changes would arise from a slight increase of average temperatures?Why arnt these pondered Also, funny that we have not heard much reporting by the scientific comunu\ity on the fact that the past three years have been BELOW average.global temps......or that the 1970s was the coldest decade in twohundred years on three continents?{USA included} Okey so the killer Caulerpa..............................as for all the data ,I will AGAIN Quote from your own chosen example......Caulerpa taxifolia



Description:
Green algae with feather-like branches, leaf is 5-65 cm in length, tropical in origin, found in Caribbean Sea and Indian Ocean, hybrid form found in Mediterranean Sea is much larger (plants up to 10 ft.), and can survive out of water for up to 10 days. It can survive in a wide variety of habitats, including sandy bottoms, rocky outcroppings, mud, and natural meadows. It can cover up to 100% of the sea bottom from 1 to 35 m and has been observed in patches up to 100m, although, at greater depths the patches are less dense. While this is a tropical species, the hybrid prefers cooler water, 10°C, but has been found thriving in temperatures of 5°C. It has been found in headlands and sheltered bays and the growth rate appears the same in polluted harbors and areas away from pollution.

............................................{quote}The plant contains a toxin that is not harmful to humans. Most fish and invertebrates avoid it and some studies have shown it to be lethal to certain species. There are also studies suggesting that the toxin may interfere with the eggs of some marine mammals, and kill off many microscopic organisms. The plant blankets an area, pushing out the invertebrates, fish, and native algae.

History:
This plant is often used in saltwater aquariums, home and public, because it is hearty, and has a bright green color that compliments the colorings of tropical fish. It was used at the Stuttgart Aquarium in Germany and a heartier hybrid was unknowingly produced and then shared with several other marine institutions. It is believed to have been leaked into the environment from the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco (although they deny this) and has spread at a quick pace. {end quote}
...................Notice that the first part is talking about the native strain....its the "heartier hybrid" which has escaped.......So toxic is the NATIVE plant.....Caulerpa taxifolia it

is used in thousands of captive tanks and millions of tons of it are in the Atlantic......and it is not killing squat.......Even the "killer hybrid has been used with great success by hobbyists in Europe, other istitutions and by the very Aquarium that may have released it ..in Closed systems !with no ill effects? ... .... Yes thousands of Scientists think that it will kill everything in a two mile radius........but that dont make it so........now does it.....?
_________________
gremlin

 

[Ninong]

is used in thousands of captive tanks and millions of tons of it are in the Atlantic......and it is not killing squat.......

One of the reasons that it is so popular in marine aquariums is that fish will not eat it. The Atlantic Caulerpa taxifolia has natural predators there that keep it in check (see references). There are significant genetic differences between Caribbean C. taxifolia and the C. taxifolia that is invading the Mediterranean and the southern coast of Australia (see references). There has been a significant impact on inshore fisheries in southern Australia and in the Mediterranean in all the areas affected by this seaweed (see references). There has been a major impact on ecosystem biodiversity and population densities measured in all of the affected areas (see references). There are no known natural predators in the Mediterranean that will eat the C. taxifolia there (see references).

Even the "killer hybrid has been used with great success by hobbyists in Europe, other istitutions and by the very Aquarium that may have released it ..in Closed systems !with no ill effects?

How many hobbyists that you know of allow C. taxifolia to completely overtake everything in their aquarium? What kind of a reef exhibit did the Stuttgart Aquarium have in 1982 when it distributed cuttings of this seaweed to other institutions? Is it possible that the Stuttgart Aquarium was keeping C. taxifolia in a variety of marine fish aquariums at a wide range of temperatures? Is it possible that they unknowingly developed a new super strain, by mutation or otherwise, capable of thriving at lower temperatures? Wouldn't they have been thrilled and proud of themselves and eager to share their beautiful new algae with other public aquaria? Surely other public institutions already had plenty of C. taxifolia of their own or could get it if they wanted it. There must have been something special about Stuttgart's C. taxifolia that motivated them to send cuttings to their friends at other institutions.

What sort of marine mammals does the average hobbyist keep in his aquarium whose eggs might be affected? If a hobbyist keeps sea urchins in his aquarium and they avoid eating this seaweed, would he be concerned or would he consider that a benefit? Would there be other food sources in his aquarium to satisfy the urchins? How many hobbyists keep their reeftanks at 5 - 10 degrees Celsius (41 - 50 degrees Fahrenheit), the preferred temperature of the new hybrid C. taxifolia? Is it possible that the extremely high concentration of CYN measured in the Mediterranean C. taxifolia in the fall is somehow related to its extreme temperature range there compared to the tropics? The concentration of CYN ranges from 0.2% of frond weight in the spring to 13% of frond weight at the end of the growing season in the fall. That is 30 to 80 times the concentration of CYN in other species of Caulerpa (see references). But again, one more time, how many hobbyists allow C. taxifolia to overgrow and KILL everything in their aquarium?

.... Yes thousands of Scientists think that it will kill everything in a two mile radius........but that dont make it so........now does it.....?

It wipes out everything in its path because it is an extremely effective competitor (see references). I don't know if the problem is that you refuse to read any of the studies that have been done on this or if you simply don't believe anything written by "Scientists."

 

[mkirda]

I don't know if the problem is that you refuse to read any of the studies that have been done on this

Ninong,

That is exactly it. Hit that nail on its head.
Kalkbreath, even when confronted with evidence to the contrary, refuses to accept even the possibility that he could be wrong.

Read the studies, Kalkbreath. Open your mind. Let the truth flow in. Reading brings understanding. You don't want to be known as a closed-minded troll forever, do you?

Regards.
Mike Kirda

 

[Kalkbreath]

[Quote}There are significant genetic differences between Caribbean C. taxifolia and the C. taxifolia that is invading the Mediterranean and the southern coast of Australia (see references). {end quote}.......The refrerences state that the native strain is also toxic? Why is it that everything is not dead in the Atlantic beds of taxifolia or in the tanks of hobbyists?............{Quote}.What marine mammals does the average hobbyist keep in his aquarium whose eggs{END quote} MAMMAL EGGS??? {Platapuss?}............{quote}That is 30 to 80 times the concentration of CYN in other species of Caulerpa{END quote}....... Yes, but not 30 times the native taxifolia levels.{and the cows nesting on their EGGS in the caulerpa beds in the keys do not have toxicity problems }........ Yes the plant is a threat to OTHER plants.....but like a fresh coat of paint.......the new one offers more PROTECTION for whats inside......
_________________
BMW E9

 

[mkirda]

the new one offers more PROTECTION for whats inside......

And what it inside? Hmmm... More plant biomass?

I'm still trying to understand why you think that this is some sort of fish nursery. Didn't we already point to studies showing that it is ichthytoxic? That it kills fish eggs, and is toxic to the fish themselves? That biodiversity plummets, and so does the biomass of critters (outside the algae itself)?

This is bordering on a religious belief with you, kalk.
There is no way a rational human being could read the evidence and come away thinking that this algae infesting large parts of the Med. would be a good thing...

Regards.
Mike Kirda

 

[Ninong]

The refrerences state that the native strain is also toxic? Why is it that everything is not dead in the Atlantic beds of taxifolia or in the tanks of hobbyists?

Whatever gave you the idea that toxicity was responsible for most of the kill? Did you not read anything that I posted? Toxicity is responsible for the fact that the two main herbivores in the Mediterranean refuse to eat it, thus allowing it to kill off native flora and fauna by overgrowth.

What marine mammals does the average hobbyist keep in his aquarium whose eggs{END quote} MAMMAL EGGS??? {Platapuss?}.

All mammals produce eggs, including H. sapiens. Platypus is a freshwater monotreme and the only other monotreme is a land animal. Both are confined to Australia.

Yes the plant is a threat to OTHER plants.....but like a fresh coat of paint.......the new one offers more PROTECTION for whats inside......

Why do you keep saying it is only a threat to other plants? First of all, it can kill anything it overgrows, including sessile invertebrates. Secondly, if it kills off the native plants that are an edible food source for native fauna, won't this have a detrimental effect on that fauna? The two main local herbivores in the Mediterranean won't touch this stuff with a ten foot pole. Studies have shown a drastic reduction in biodiversity and population densities in all affected areas.

What in the world do you mean by "more PROTECTION for what's inside?" Why don't you read the population studies that have been done on the areas that have been overgrown before you post such nonsense. Maybe you can offer advice to the Australian Institute of Marine Science and explain to them that the fish that are no longer off the southern Australia coast will come back some day.

 

[Ninong]

Dept. of Corrections:
Monotremes are also found in Tasmania and New Guinea: http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/ ... =761555366

 

[Kalkbreath]

the new one offers more PROTECTION for whats inside......

And what it inside? Hmmm... More plant biomass?

I'm still trying to understand why you think that this is some sort of fish nursery. Didn't we already point to studies showing that it is ichthytoxic? That it kills fish eggs, and is toxic to the fish themselves? That biodiversity plummets, and so does the biomass of critters (outside the algae itself)?

This is bordering on a religious belief with you, kalk.
There is no way a rational human being could read the evidence and come away thinking that this algae infesting large parts of the Med. would be a good thing...

Regards.
Mike Kirda

The greatest single limiting factor on sealife abundance ,is stucture to hide in...........fish and other sealife need a place to hide. this is why you find many more fish within coral reefs , rocky outcropings and even sunken ships. The more places to hide the more fish.... ICHTHYTOXIC ? Why does it not kill anything in my tanks, thousands of other hobbyists tanks........the links you have posted state that the native Taxifoliia has the same toxic effects? Thousands of closed hobby systems and the Caribbean prove otherwise.........
_________________
ACS bolt

 

[Kalkbreath]

The refrerences state that the native strain is also toxic? Why is it that everything is not dead in the Atlantic beds of taxifolia or in the tanks of hobbyists?

Whatever gave you the idea that toxicity was responsible for most of the kill? Did you not read anything that I posted? Toxicity is responsible for the fact that the two main herbivores in the Mediterranean refuse to eat it, thus allowing it to kill off native flora and fauna by overgrowth.
.

I dont want any thing to eat it.I want the decimated fish population to rebound , due to the ten fold increase in places to hide and grow,.
_________________
chocolate chunk

 

[Kalkbreath]

What in the world do you mean by "more PROTECTION for what's inside?" Why don't you read the population studies that have been done on the areas that have been overgrown before you post such nonsense. Maybe you can offer advice to the Australian Institute of Marine Science and explain to them that the fish that are no longer off the southern Australia coast will come back some day.

There is no basis for why the fish population would decline{,certain limited species perhaps}.................... land living cows and horses are not having miscarriages because this algae is growing off shore.... A blanket statement that MAMMALS are having egg problems is sensationalism and should be a tell tale sign that the author is up to something.....
_________________
Mercedes Benz SLK Class

 

[Kalkbreath]

?WAIT A MINUTE...326 views and no one else but these fine two gentlemen is willing to offer an opinion on this subject?..............The only reason I started this topic was to change the focus of this board for a day or two............................ ! I am clinically crazy ............but fear not............... its not contagious { join in people...?}
_________________
Honda CB450

 

[Chucker]

?WAIT A MINUTE...326 views and no one else but these fine two gentlemen is willing to offer an opinion on this subject?..............The only reason I started this topic was to change the focus of this board for a day or two............................ ! I am clinically crazy ............but fear not............... its not contagious { join in people...?}

Because it has been proven in the past that you are immune to logic.

 

[Ninong]

Kalk: There is no basis for why the fish population would decline.

Of course there is. The entire food chain is interrupted. There have been measured declines in microbial populations, epifloral and epifaunal populations, polychaete populations, mollusc populations, amphipod populations, herbivore populations, and everything on up the food chain.

What do you think herbivorous fish eat? They certainly don't eat the new strain of Caulerpa taxifolia that has overgrown the edible algae that was their previous food source.

What do you think carnivorous fish eat? They eat the polychaete worms, amphipods, molluscs, etc. whose populations have been impacted by the change in the dominant flora.

I fail to understand how anybody can call this new strain of C. taxifolia "the green gift." It's the gift from hell. The very fact that you insist on comparing it with C. taxifolia from Florida proves that you have no idea what you are talking about. All of the C. taxifolia in the Mediterranean is a clone from a single plant. It spreads asexually by fragmentation only. Sexual reproduction requires both male and female gametes, but unlike normal C. taxifolia, it produces only male gametes. In more than 10 years of study it has never been observed producing female gametes. The original cuttings that the Stuttgart Aquarium acquired didn't come from Florida, they came from northern Australia, but something happened to it at the Stuttgart Aquarium.

 

[Ninong]

Kalk: land living cows and horses are not having miscarriages because this algae is growing off shore.... A blanket statement that MAMMALS are having egg problems is sensationalism and should be a tell tale sign that the author is up to something.....

That's odd. Where did you read that?

A reference was made to marine mammal eggs but I don't remember reading anything about land mammals having miscarriages.

 

[golfish]

Because it has been proven in the past that you are immune to logic.

ROTF

 

[Ninong]

Kalk,

Perhaps this is the passage that has you confused:

"There are also studies suggesting that the toxin may interfere with the eggs of some marine mammals, and kill off many microscopic organisms. The plant blankets an area, pushing out the invertebrates, fish, and native algae."

Sorry, but they aren't talking about horses and cows. Considering that the statement was from the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary website, I would guess that their primary concern would be for the local sea otters. Of course there are lots of different marine mammals besides sea otters, such as sea lions, seals, walruses, dolphins, whales, etc. But, sorry, no platypus either. They're a freshwater mammal and wouldn't appreciate a Mediterranean vacation.

 

[Ninong]

Kalk: MAMMAL EGGS??? {Platapuss?}.

Oh, now I think I see where the problem is. You must have thought they were talking about mammals laying eggs. All mammals are viviparous with the notable exception of Platypus and some Australian anteater. All mammals produce eggs but only oviparous mammals actually lay them.

 

[Kalkbreath]

One more time .

. A significant, but low, negative correlation was observed in spring in the shallow zones between the percentage of C. taxifolia coverage and fish density when C. taxifolia fronds are small. Conversely, no correlation was observed in the fall when algae fronds are larger, in both shallow and deep water zones. The differences observed between Caulerpa-invaded and Caulerpa-free zones are usually smaller in the fall. It would therefore seem that C. taxifolia leads to a reduction in fish assemblage and abundance in spring, since the structure of its meadows is less complex than that of P. oceanica beds.

In the fall, when C. taxifolia meadows are full grown, this biotope seemed to constitute a favorable biotope for the recruitment of a certain number of species (Labridae:Coris julis, Symphodus ocellatus; Sparidae and Serranidae). Composition abundance and demographic structures of the fish assemblages living in C. taxifolia meadows therefore varied, as do coastal rocky and P. oceanica fish assemblages. However, it appeared that seasonal variations were greater due to the change in the range of complexity of C. taxifolia meadows. Furthermore, fishes inhabiting colonized zones demonstrated normal feeding habits and reproduction behaviors. Allover results of such studis demonstrated that there is no simple relationship between the presence of C. taxifolia and fish assemblages. For all relevant factors, such as complexity and substrate slope, hydrodynamics, presence of rock and seagrass beds, C.taxifolia colonization and fishing pressure.
The results presented here are only valid for Cap Martin (southern coast of France), and no conclusions can be drawn concerning the impact of C. taxifolia on fish communities in other geographical zones. [End Quote} ..........................little changes ,even in the Native grass beds.............a study on Taxifloia growing in areas other plants and algae dont {ie barren sand} would show a vast improvment and increase in the fish populations! [quote}Adaptation:
The algae adapts to any milieu, be it a polluted port or a clean, isolated bay. It can resist hard winters, and shows vigority and density not present in the species found in tropical seas. The alga grows everywhere, from the surface to the lower limits of underwater vegetation. It grows as well in front of capes swept by storms and currents as on the soft bottoms of sheltered bays, on the polluted mud of harbors as on stretches of bottom with a diverse flora and fauna. [End Quote]
_________________
Mercedes Benz B Class

 

[Ninong]

It would therefore seem that C. taxifolia leads to a reduction in fish assemblage and abundance in spring, since the structure of its meadows is less complex than that of P. oceanica beds.

The results presented here are only valid for Cap Martin (southern coast of France), and no conclusions can be drawn concerning the impact of C. taxifolia on fish communities in other geographical zones.

That remark concerns fish assemblage and abundance at Cap Martin. It proves that there will eventually be a rebalancing of the ecosystem in areas that have been overgrown with C. taxifolia. The new balance will not include species that have been forced out due to a lack of available food, such as sea urchins and herbivorous fish. The more mobile a species is the more it's populations can adjust to environmental factors by simply moving on to greener pastures (edible greener pastures).

 

[Ninong]

Anyone hear more about the "Killer algae" in southern California Waters? Mary?

This is the most recent information I could find on the NOAA website:

This species has recently been reported near Sydney, Australia, smothering seagrass beds in a manner reminiscent of the invasion in the Mediterranean. Despite bans on its possession in France, Spain, and Australia, this organism continues to be transported and sold by the aquarium trade; fearing its eventual introduction into US waters, over 100 prominent scientists petitioned the federal government in 1998 to ban the use of Caulerpa taxifolia in American aquaria, leading to its designation in 1999 as a prohibited species under the Federal Noxious Weed Act. The discovery of this species in southern California, recently reported in the journal Nature to be genetically identical to the strain in the Mediterranean, confirms that it nevertheless continues to invade marine ecosystems, such as the ecologically rich eelgrass beds that thrive in many of our coastal lagoons. It is likely that the alga was released from an aquarium at the locations in California where it has been discovered, a practice banned under California law.

Although delays in recognizing the true threat of the invasion in the Mediterranean make the eradication of Caulerpa taxifolia there unlikely, distribution of the Caulerpa discovered in California is restricted enough that eradication efforts have been optimistically undertaken. After exploring techniques such as dredging, hand removal, draining of the lagoon, and application of various herbicides, a biological consulting firm in San Diego developed and implemented a plan to treat the seaweed in situ to avoid further fragmentation and spread. Each patch of Caulerpa was covered with a heavy plastic tarp that was sealed to the bottom at the edges and fitted with a small "port" on top that allowed for the introduction of herbicide under the tarp. The tarp allowed for the direct treatment of the target patch, while preventing the loss of herbicide to the lagoon waters. Although the algae appeared to have been effectively treated, the tarps were left in place to prevent the growth of Caulerpa from portions of it that grow in the mud and that may not have been fully treated by the herbicide application. All known Caulerpa has been treated in Carlsbad, and the site is surveyed monthly, with monitoring continuing for at least five years in order to detect regrowth. A very similar eradication is currently ongoing in Huntington Harbour.

It is critical that the initial success of the eradication efforts undertaken not lull the public and regulators into a false sense of complacency. The probability that there are infestations that so far have avoided detection, as well as the common occurrence of Caulerpa residing in American aquariums, nearly ensures that this seaweed will continue to pose a threat to US coastlines.

The public can help prevent and detect infestations of Caulerpa taxifolia. The most important task is to prevent the introduction of ANY aquarium organisms into water bodies. Extreme care must be taken when cleaning or dismantling fish tanks, because a half-inch piece of Caulerpa taxifolia that is inadvertently washed into the gutter while rinsing a fish tank on the lawn could quite plausibly travel through the storm drain directly to a nearby estuary or beach and establish itself there. Aside from caution, an even more responsible action would be to eliminate any risk of accidental introduction by discontinuing the use of Caulerpa in home aquaria. Caulerpa can be removed from the tank, with all the material it is attached to (rocks, gravel, etc), placed in a freezer for 24 hours, and then placed in the trash for disposal in a landfill. Under no circumstances should any unwanted aquarium plants or animals be released into the wild.

In addition to prevention of new introductions, detection of existing infestations is also critical. It is crucial that all people who spend time exploring the ocean bottom be educated and involved in detection and reporting. SCUBA and free divers as well as recreational and commercial fishermen can participate in the surveillance effort by familiarizing themselves with the appearance and habit of this seaweed. It is bright green with feathery fronds and grows in a low mat on the ocean bottom. Caulerpa could become entangled in fishing equipment that reaches the sea floor, but it does not float, so it is unlikely that it will be spotted on the surface of the sea. Large patches may be visible from the air due to its distinct bright green color.

If Caulerpa taxifolia is observed in the wild, DO NOT DISTURB IT. Note as much information as possible about the location where it was found and report it immediately to the Southern California Caulerpa Action Team at (858) 467-2952, visit the website http://caulerpa.cjb.net or E-mail: [email protected]

Further Developments:

On July 23, 2001 the City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to ban sale and possession of the genus Caulerpa in the City of San Diego. They plan to implement an outreach program to inform pet shops and the public of the new ordinance.

Under the ban, owning or selling the plant is a misdemeanor subject to a $250 fine. The fine would be excused for those who properly dispose of the plant. One disposal method is to freeze it and throw it into a garbage.

Further Reading:

"Killer Algae", by Alexander Meinesz, translated by Daniel Simberloff.

University of Chicago Press, 1999.

Websites:

http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb9/News/Cau ... folia.html
http://www.mcbi.org/caulerpa/babbitt.html
http://www.unice.fr/LEML/

A websearch of Caulerpa returns many sites.

For further information contact:

Rachel Woodfield
Merkel & Associates
858-560-5465
Email: [email protected]





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caulerpa Eradication in Southern California

Southwest Region Home Page