Scientific Name:

Asparagopsis taxiformis

Common Name:
No common name
Taxonomic Group:
Algae

Information

A red alga that exhibits two morphologically different life stages. The gametophyte stage (Asparagopsis taxiformis) is a pale purplish-red alga, up to 30 cm in height, forming conspicuous monospecific stands when invasive. Its fronds are bushy, with a cylindrical axis up to 1 mm wide and 200 mm long, arising from bare, creeping stolons; it is irregularly branched, branches being 5–10 mm long.

This species usually grows on infralittoral rocky bottoms from the sea surface to a depth of 50 m. The sporophyte stage (Falkenbergia hillebrandii) is filamentous, rose-red in colour, much branched and forming dense cotton-wool-like tufts 15 mm in diameter. Asparagopsis taxiformis can be an epiphyte on other organisms, especially on Corallina species, colonizing many different habitats from littoral pools to rocky bottoms down to 20 m in depth.

It is able to reproduce sexually and asexually and has a macroscopic gametophyte phase, referred to as Asparagopsis, and a macroscopic tetrasporophyte phase known as the ‘Falkenbergia’ stage.

Its highly successful vegetative reproduction may account for the rapid spread of the species, which has an attachment system consisting of basal stolons and rhizoids that facilitate the establishment of reproductive fragments.

This species resembles Asparagopsis armata; however, the presence of harpoon-like hooks in the gametophyte stage of A. armata and the absence of them in A. taxiformis is a distinguishing character. The tetrasporophyte of A. taxiformis is, however, apparently indistinguishable from that of A. armata.

The genus as a whole is noted for its high invasive potential.

Asparagopsis taxiformis Similar Species (0010) EN
Asparagopsis armata
Asparagopsis taxiformis Similar Species (0020) EN
Asparagopsis armata

Native to Western Australia, this species shows invasive behaviour around the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan and Hawaii. Asparagopsis taxiformis was probably introduced to the Mediterranean via maritime transport, and is currently widespread throughout the Mediterranean and along the Atlantic coast of Europe.

Unknown, but it probably outcompetes native species for space and light.

Unknown. Trials have shown the potential pharmaceutical compounds of antifungal and antibiotic activity of this algae.

Once it has become invasive, eradication and even containment are not possible. The species might be controlled most efficiently and effectively, and at the lowest cost, early in the invasive process.

Altamirano J. et al. 2008. The invasive species Asparagopsis taxiformis (Bonnemaisoniales, Rhodophyta) on Andalusian coasts (Southern Spain): reproductive stages, new records and invaded comunities. Acta Botánica Malacitana, 33, 5-10.

Andreakis, N. et al., 2004. Asparagopsis taxiformis and Asparagopsis armata (Bonnemaisoniales, Rhodophyta): genetic and morphological identification of Mediterranean populations. Eur. J. Phycol. , 39: 273 – 283.

Image
Asparagopsis taxiformis Illustration

Last Reports