Expansion of the red alga Grateloupia doryphora along the coasts of Brittany (France)

Abstract

Grateloupia doryphora (Montagne) Howe (Halymeniales, Halymeniaceae) has previously been reported for two locations along the Brittany coastline (France). Important ecological and morphological traits of the species in the breton populations are detailed here. Because of the impressive size it can reach, G. doryphora can be considered as the largest red alga in the world. G. doryphora has the tendency to dominate the algal flora once installed. At Lorient, in addition to the marginal extension of the population, a progressive colonisation of the whole intertidal zone has been noted for 2 years. The species actually preferentially develops in currents and pools where it is abundant between early winter and mid summer. An interesting development is the recent spreading from the mid and lower eulittoral towards the upper rocky pools. The seasonality of the life-cycle has also been studied over 2 years. In addition, this work reports on the first identification of G. doryphora near the Loire estuary in South Brittany, at Concarneau and in the Bay of Brest in western Brittany, and on the coasts of Normandy, at Granville and Cherbourg. The occurrence of attached specimens on ship hulls and pontoons suggests a distant transport of the species by navigation. Considering the rapid geographical propagation of G. doryphora, and its tendancy to proliferate in settling locations, the species can be regarded as potentially invasive on the north–west coasts of Europe.