The invasive algae Rugulopteryx okamurae, identified in 2015, has expanded its presence along the Spanish coast, from Ceuta to Tarifa and beyond, threatening biodiversity. With an incredible capacity for asexual reproduction, a single algae can generate hundreds of clones, leading to local ecological devastation. Although it does not immediately destroy posidonia meadows, the broader marine community suffers. In its native range, growth is slower, resulting in an overabundance of algae that impacts local economies and ecosystems, emphasizing the urgent need for management strategies to tackle this invasive species.
The advance of Rugulopteryx okamurae demonstrates a relentless invasion, where a single algae can create up to 600 new clones, devastating local biodiversity.
Unlike in its native habitat, where growth takes years, here clonal reproduction occurs rapidly, with consequences that severely affect marine ecosystems and local economies.
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