Caulerpa taxifolia (Vahl) C. Agandh (ITIS; name is accepted but unverified)
Caulerpa, Mediterranean clone; Killer algae
Caulerpa taxifolia is widespread in tropical habitats; the Mediterranean clone may have originated in Australia (Jousson et al. 1998; Meusnier et al. 2001)
2000 (Diaz et al. 2012)
Aquarium trade (Diaz et al. 2012)
Crowds out native species (Woodfield 2008)

Mediterranean clone of caulerpa, plants
Photo by Rachel Woodfield; Merkel & Associates, Inc.
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Federally Regulated
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The section below contains highly relevant resources for this species, organized by source.
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Diaz, S., J.R. Smith, S.F. Zaleski, et al. 2012. Effectiveness of the California state ban on the sale of Caulerpa species in aquarium retail stores in southern California. Environmental Management 50:89–96.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Caulerpa taxifolia. [Accessed Feb 28, 2015].
Jousson, O., J. Pawlowski, L. Zaninetti, A. Meinesz, and C.F. Boudouresque. 1998. Molecular evidence for the aquarium origin of the green alga Caulerpa taxifolia introduced to the Mediterranean Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series 172:275-280.
Meusnier, I., J.L. Olsen, W.T. Stam, C. Destombe, M. Valero. 2001. Phylogenetic analyses of Caulerpa taxifolia (Chlorophyta) and of its associated bacterial microflora provide clues to the origin of the Mediterranean introduction. Molecular Ecology 10(4):931-946.
Woodfield, R. 2008. Noxious Seaweed Found in Southern California Coastal Waters. NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Regional Office.