Acanthophora spicifera
(Rhodomelaceae)
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Acanthophora spicifera
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| HEAR home > species info > plants > Acanthophora spicifera (Rhodomelaceae) |
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Acanthohora spicifera is a seaweed that grows in upright clumps of spiny branches, 1-2 mm in diameter. It can be pale yellow, brownish, dark green, or reddish (often dark green in intertidal areas and high wave motion areas). This species grows on the reef in intertidal, lagoon and reef flat habitats, or it can be free-floating. In Hawaii, Acanthohora spicifera outcompetes native seaweeds for space on the reef. This species readily reproduces and spreads by fragmentation (floating pieces of seaweed) and spores, and continues to spread attached to the hulls of boats. It fouls the hulls of boats used for interisland transport, making them less fuel-efficient. Acanthophora spicifera was accidentally introduced to Hawaii from Guam in 1950 by hull fouling on the fuel barge "Yon 146." The first fragments of this species were discovered in Pearl Harbor in 1952. It can now be found on all main Hawaiian Islands. Acanthophora spicifera is the most abundant seaweed species on shallow reefs and the most widespread alien seaweed in Hawaii. Widescale control or eradication from Hawaii is not currently feasible.
Species description or overview
Invasive algae Acanthophora spicifera overview 
Taxonomy, description, ecology, impacts and distribution of invasive algae Acanthophora spicifera are provided by University of Hawaii Botany Department.
Acanthophora spicifera: an invasive marine alga in Hawaii
Acanthophora spicifera: an invasive marine alga in Hawaii
Spiny seaweed or prickly seaweed (Acanthophora spicifera) overview from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC)
Spiny seaweed's description, impacts, images, and distribution in Hawaii are from HISC's high-profile invasive pests site.
Acanthophora spicifera information
Spiny seaweed ecology, habitat, dispersal, and management are from The Global Invasive Species Database.
Acanthophora spicifera description and ecology from GISD (ISSG)
A species description and information about the ecology of Acanthophora spicifera as an invasive species is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
Acanthophora spicifera impact information from GISD (ISSG)
Impact information regarding Acanthophora spicifera as an invasive species is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
Marine algae of Hawaii: red algae
Alien algae and corresponding competing native species are shown on this site from the University of Hawaii Botany Department.
Acanthophora spicifera worldwide distribution from GISD (ISSG)
Worldwide distribution information about Acanthophora spicifera is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
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| The content of this page is based on information last generated on 03 November 2009 by PT. The template for this page was created on 15 March 2004 by EMS, and was last updated on 20 February 2006 by PT. |
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