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Mediterranean invasive species factsheet

Brief history of its introduction and
pathways
Native to the Indian Ocean, S. schimperi was
probably introduced into the Mediterranean through
the Suez Canal. At present, it is distributed
throughout the eastern Mediterranean.

Ecological impacts
These are unknown; however, this brown alga
tolerates varied local conditions and has no known
predators.

Economic impacts
Unknown.
Stypopodium schimperi. Photo: E. Cebrian

Management options
Reproduction
Prevention: Unknown. Eradication: Unknown.
Stypopodium schimperi undergoes alternation of
generations; it can reproduce by both gametophyte
and sporophyte structures, which are Further reading
morphologically similar. Gametophytes can, Guiry M.D., Guiry, G.M. 2012. AlgaeBase. World-wide
however, be distinguished by the presence of electronic publication, National University of Ireland,
Galway. http://www.algaebase.org.
discontinuous dark bands between the concentric
Einav, R. (2007). Seaweeds of the eastern Mediterranean
bands.
coast. pp. [i-vi],[1-5]6-266. Ruggell, Liechtenstein: A.R.G.
Gantner Verlag K.G.
Similar species Verlaque, M. & C.-F. Boudouresque, 1991. Stypopodium
schimperi (Buchinger ex Kützing) Verlaque et
It can be confused with the native alga Zonaria
Boudouresque comb. nov. (Dictyotales, Fucophyceae),
tournefortii. Both species are highly polymorphic,
algue de mer Rouge récemment apparue en Méditerranée.
and the best character to distinguish them under a Cryptogamie, Algologie 12: 195-211, 69 figs.
microscope is the number of cortical cell layers: 4–5
cell layers in S. schimperi and 1–2 in Z. tournefortii.

Drawings: Juan Varela

Zonaria tourneforti

48 Monitoring Marine Invasive Species in Mediterranean MPAs: A strategy and practical guide for managers