Acanthophora spicifera
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| Acanthophora spicifera | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Spiny algae (Acanthophora spicifera) at Waikiki Beach. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Clade: | Archaeplastida |
| Division: | Rhodophyta |
| Class: | Florideophyceae |
| Order: | Ceramiales |
| Family: | Rhodomelaceae |
| Genus: | Acanthophora |
| Species: | A. spicifera |
| Binomial name | |
| Acanthophora spicifera | |
Acanthophora spicifera is a species of marine red algae in the family Rhodomelaceae.
The geographical distribution of Acanthophora spicifera includes:
- Guam[1]
- Houtman Abrolhos[2]
- Hawaii - non-indigenous.[1] It was unintentionally introduced to Pearl Harbor, Hawai‘i from Guam in 1950 and has since become the most common nonindigenous algal species in the main Hawaiian Islands.[1] On the west coast of Hawai‘i Island it has been documented at three sites, including Kaloko Fishpond in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site and Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.[1]
Ecology
Acanthophora spicifera is one of the most common nonindigenous algal species in Hawaii and it displaces many native species where it is abundant.[1]
The success of Acanthophora spicifera in invading benthic habitats is attributed to: (1) its ability to reproduce both sexually and vegetatively (by fragmentation); (2) successful epiphytism; and (3) its adaptability to a wide range of hydrological conditions.[1] Rapid recolonization is probably due to the ability of Acanthophora spicifera to regrow from even small amounts of residual tissue and the high rate of reproduction.[1]
Algal abundance is influenced by both nutrient availability and herbivory.[1] The combination of high nutrient concentration and low herbivory, as in Kaloko Fishpond, promotes greater increases in algal abundance than an increase in nutrients alone.[1] Herbivory, therefore, appears to play an important role in preventing tropical macroalgal growth.[1]
Acanthophora spicifera is a palatable and highly preferred food for herbivorous fishes in Hawai‘i and has been found in the mouths of green sea turtles.[1]
