Caulerpa, Mediterranean Clone

Scientific name: Caulerpa taxifolia (Vahl) C. Agandh

Common names: Caulerpa, Mediterranean clone; Killer algae

Native To: Caribbean Sea; Indian Ocean

Date of U.S. Introduction: 2000 (first infestation)

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Videos: Caulerpa Videos from Southern California Caulerpa Action Team

Means of Introduction: Aquarium trade

Impact: Crowds out native species

Current U.S. Distribution: Southern California (map of infestations)

U.S. States and U.S. National Parks Where Reported Invasive: Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States map

Federally Regulated: Federal Noxious Weed (USDA, APHIS - Noxious Weeds Program)

Management Plans: Aquatic Species / Caulerpa

Selected Internet Resources:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• University/Academic
• International
• Organizations

Caulerpa taxifolia
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Taxonomy

Noxious Algae Found in Southern California Coastal Waters
DOC. NOAA. National Marine Fisheries Service. Southwest Region.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Caulerpa taxifolia Article Citation Search - AGRICOLA Database
USDA. National Agricultural Library.
Research; Special Note: NAL Catalog Search (resources)

Plant profile for Caulerpa taxifolia - PLANTS Database
USDA. NRCS. National Plant Data Center.
Taxonomy; Legal Aspects

Southern California Information Center
Southern California Action Team.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Dispersion

Killer Algae Found! (May 12, 2002)
California Sea Grant.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion

Killer Alga, Caulerpa taxifolia (Bryosipdales: Caulerpaceae)
University of California - Riverside. Center for Invasive Species Research.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution

Caulerpa taxifolia
University of Florida. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Controls; Legal Aspects

Caulerpa taxifolia - Marine Algae of Hawai'i
University of Hawaii. Botany Department.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Legal Aspects

Aquatic Invaders: Caulerpa Seaweed (PDF | 592 KB)
National Sea Grant College Program; Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Eradicating and preventing the spread of the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia in New South Wales (Jun 2004)
Australia. Department of the Environment and Heritage.
Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Literature Review of Caulerpa taxifolia
Austria. University of Salzburg.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls; Research; Special Note: References

Caulerpa
New Zealand Biodiversity.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Controls

Caulerpa taxifolia (alga) - ISSG Global Invasive Species Database
World Conservation Union. Invasive Species Specialist Group.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Caulerpa taxifolia
Discover Life.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Caulerpa taxifolia Surveillance and Eradication in Southern California
Southern California Caulerpa Action Team.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Caulerpa taxifolia
North American Plant Protection Organization.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Distribution; Dispersion

Deep Sea Invasion, Original PBS Broadcast Date: Apr 1, 2003
PBS. NOVA.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History

Excerpt from book "Killer Algae" by Alexandre Meinesz
Photographs; Introduction History; Special Note: Excerpted from pages xi-xiv, 95-96 of KILLER ALGAE by Alexandre Meinesz, University of Chicago Press, 1999.