Distribution of the Invasive Species Caulerpa prolifera along the Coasts of the Suez Canal, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt

Abstract

Seven years-round since 1999, distribution and percentage cover were investigated in Caulerpa prolifera
collected from 13 stations along the coast of the Suez Canal at different depths and from different types
of substrates as well as from monthly collected samples in a dense unshaded meadow at
a depth of 3-7 m at Great Bitter lakes. Caulerpa prolifera start increasing their cover in Spring and
continued to increase into Autumn, with maximum cover in Winter. The seasonality patterns have been
correlated with changes in light, temperature, desiccation and grazing. A rapid spread and high
abundance of the invaded Caulerpa prolifera were observed on sandy or muddy sea bottom in shallow
protected area of the Great Bitter Lakes. Caulerpa prolifera changes the ecology of area by reducing the
abundance of native marine fauna and flora.

Keywords