Seasonality of the invasive seaweed Gracilaria vermiculophylla along the southeastern coast of North Carolina
Freshwater, D. W. ; Greene, J.K.; Hamner, R.M.; Montgomery, F. (2006). Seasonality of the invasive seaweed Gracilaria vermiculophylla along the southeastern coast of North Carolina. J. North Carolina Acad. Sci. 122(2): 49-55
In: Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science. North Carolina Academy of Science: Raleigh, NC. ISSN 2167-5872; e-ISSN 2167-5880, more
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| Keywords |
Gracilaria Greville, 1830 [WoRMS]; Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Ohmi) Papenfuss, 1967 [WoRMS]
ANW, USA, North Carolina [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Gracilaria; Gracilaria vermiculophylla; invasive species; seasonality |
| Authors | | Top |
- Freshwater, D. W.
- Greene, J.K.
- Hamner, R.M.
- Montgomery, F.
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| Abstract |
Gracilaria vermiculophylla is a red alga that has recently invaded the coastal waters of North Carolina. It has become abundant in the sounds and estuaries of southeastern North Carolina and is a nuisance for commercial fishing operations and industries drawing water from the lower Cape Fear River. Seasonal growth and abundance of G. vermiculophylla was studied along transects on an intertidal flat in Masonboro Sound, New Hanover County, using a modified Braun-Blanquet scale. Percentage of potential substrates with attached thalli was also recorded at this site. Highest Braun-Blanquet scores were found during May thru July when both water and air temperatures were warming, and were lowest during January thru April, when temperatures were coldest and the majority of thalli were observed to dieback to their bases. The percentage of potential substrates with attached thalli showed no seasonal variation and was high (.94%) throughout the year indicating that the Braun-Blanquet measured changes in cover/ abundance of G. vermiculophylla were because of changes in the size of thalli. |
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