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Caulerpa taxifolia

Basic information
Scientific name Caulerpa taxifolia (No picture)
Major synonym Fucus taxifolius
Common names caulerpa, killer alga
Higher taxon Caulerpaceae, Bryopsidales, Bryopsidophyceae, Chlorophyta
Natural range Africa, Atlantic Ocean, Australia, Bermuda, China, Fiji, India, Indian Ocean, Japan, Maldives, New Caledonia, Seychelles, United States.
Habitat Wide variety of substrates from rock, sand and mud. It grows in shallow sea with coral in tropical and subtropic regions.
Invasion information
Range in Japan Native strains distribute in Okinawa Islands. Range in Japan
Origin Unknown.
Date They have been sold at pet shops and displayed at aquariums since late 1980s.
Route Improperly disposed waste from aquaria
Impact Reduce native species diversity and fish habitat.
Regulation in Japan No action for prevention, mitigation, control, or eradication.
Introduced range in other countries Australia, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Mediterranean, Monaco, New Zealand, Spain, Tunisia, United States.
Reference Notes
This species has been nominated as among 100 of the World's Worst invaders.