Temporal variation in vegetative development of Caulerpa scalpelliformis (Chlorophyta) from Baleia beach, Ilha Grande bay (Rio de janeiro, brazil)

A study on the invasive seaweed Caulerpa scalpelliformis at Baleia Beach, Ilha Grande Bay, Brazil, revealed that its vegetative development exhibits seasonal variation similar to other invasive Caulerpa species worldwide. The research found that C. scalpelliformis, occurring on both rocky and sandy substrates, displayed partial loss of erect portions during winter to spring but showed increased height and dry weight from summer to autumn. This pattern was consistent across different substrates, suggesting a pseudo-perennial growth behavior. The study employed morphometric and dry weight data collection over an 18-month period (June 2003–September 2004) using randomly positioned plots on rocky boulders (~1.5 m depth) and contiguous sandy bottoms (~3.0 m depth). These findings contribute to the understanding of temporal dynamics in invasive seaweed development, which may have implications for biodiversity management at UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Ilha Grande.

Vasconcelos, M. A., Schubart, C. L. Q., & Széchy, M. T. M. d. (2011). Temporal variation in vegetative development of Caulerpa scalpelliformis (Chlorophyta) from Baleia beach, Ilha Grande bay (Rio de janeiro, brazil). Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 59(2), 145–152. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-87592011000200003