The introduced alga Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty ex P.C. Silva, 1996) in abandoned cultivation sites in Bocas del Toro, Panama

The red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty ex P.C. Silva, 1996) has been intentionally introduced throughout the tropics for mariculture. In some cases, the alga has spread outside cultivation sites and impacts native biota. We conducted surveys of two sites in Bocas del Toro, Panama, where non-native K. alvarezii was previously cultivated to determine whether it is established and began to examine potential interactions with native biota. We found that non-native K. alvarezii has spread into adjacent seagrass beds, mangroves, and coral patches. The cover of K. alvarezii at these sites can be high (>30%), and it appears to smother seagrass, coral, and sponges. However, herbivory by native sea urchins may act as an important agent of biotic resistance, though additional evidence is needed to confirm this.