AquaNISInformation system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species |
Species |
Sargassum muticum [WoRMS] References: Fensholt DE (1955)An emendation of the genus Cystophyllum (Fucales). American Journal of Botany 42: 305-322 |
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Authority | (Yendo) Fensholt, 1955 References (not structured): Yendo K (1907) The Fucaceae of Japan. Journal of the College of Science, Tokyo Imperial University 21 (Article 12): 1-174, folded table, pls I- XVIII plates Fensholt DE (1955) An emendation of the genus Cystophyllum (Fucales). American Journal of Botany 42: 305-322 |
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Family | Sargassaceae | |
Order | Fucales | |
Class | Phaeophyceae | |
Phylum | Ochrophyta | |
Synonym (?) | Sargassum kjellmanianum f. muticum (Yendo) References (not structured): Yendo K (1907) The Fucaceae of Japan. Journal of the College of Science, Tokyo Imperial University 21 (Article 12): 1-174, folded table, pls I- XVIII plates Fensholt DE (1955) An emendation of the genus Cystophyllum (Fucales). American Journal of Botany 42: 305-322 Comments: Yendo (1907) was the first who described Sargassum muticum in Japan. It was firstly recorded as S. kjellmanianum forma muticum. On the basis of the difference in reproductive structure (monoecious or dioecious), Fensholt (1955) proposed the new corrected name - Sargassum muticum. The species S. kjellmanianum (Yendo) is now renamed S. miyabei (Yendo) but the old name is still in use, and thus may include both species, S.muticum and S.miyabei. |
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Sub-species level (?) | Not entered |
Native origin (?) | Ocean: Pacific --> Ocean region: NW Pacific References (not structured): Yendo K (1907) The Fucaceae of Japan. Journal of the College of Science, Tokyo Imperial University 21 (Article 12): 102-106, plate XV, fig. 1-4. Critchley AT, Farnham WF, Yoshida T, Norton TA (1990) A bibliography of the invasive alga Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt (Fucales; Sargassaceae). Botanica marina 33: 551-562 Comments: Sargassum muticum is native to the waters around Japan and the North West Pacific. |
Life form / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Deysher LE, Norton TA (1982) Dispersal and colonization in Sargassum muticum. J Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 56: 179-195. Norton TA (1980) Sink, swim or stick: the fate of Sargassum muticum poropagules. British Phycol. J. 15: 197-198 Comments: The preferred habitat of Sargassum muticum is sheltered hard bottoms, but it may also attach to hard substrates on soft bottoms, such as stones or shells. Germlings settle only a few meters from the parent plant and have a short planktonic existence. Germlings of S.muticum stick almost immediately on contact with the substratum by the rhizoids and this results in them adhering to the first solid surface encountered, even when it is unsuitable for their subsequent development. |
Sociability / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Curiel D, Bellemo G, Marzocchi M, Scattolin M, Parisi G (1998) Distribution of introduced Japanese macroalgae Undaria pinnatifida, Sargassum muticum (Phaeophyta) and Antithamnion pectinatum (Rhodophyta) in the Lagoon of Venice. Hydrobiologia 385: 17-22 Comments: This alga forms thick colonies on piers, breakwaters and wharves with 2-10 plants per square meter. When the plants reach their maximum size (in spring), they form thicker settlements with density of up to 70-80 plants per square meter. |
Reproductive frequency (?) | Iteroparous |
Reproductive type (?) | Asexual Self-fertilization Sexual References: Stæhr PA, Pedersen MF, Thomsen MS, Wernberg T, Krause-Jensen D (2000) Invasion of Sargassum muticum in Limfjorden (Denmark) and its possible impact on the indigenous macroalgal community. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Series 207: 79-88 Comments: Sargassum muticum is monoecious, self-fertile and highly fecund and posesses vesicles that allow the annually produced fronds to drift when broken off. Although these drifting fronds do not reattach, they are able to survive and and become fertile as they drift. |
Developmental trait (?) | Unknown |
Characteristic feeding method / Life stage (?) |
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Mobility / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Stæhr PA, Pedersen MF, Thomsen MS, Wernberg T, Krause-Jensen D (2000) Invasion of Sargassum muticum in Limfjorden (Denmark) and its possible impact on the indigenous macroalgal community. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Series 207: 79-88 Deysher LE, Norton TA (1982) Dispersal and colonization in Sargassum muticum. J Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 56: 179-195 Comments: Sargassum muticum permanently attaches by a disc-shaped holdfast to rocks, stones, pebbles, artificial substrates, also to shells and occasionally to seaweeds. S. muticum has the ability to reproduce from drifting fertile individuals or branches, which because of the buoyancy provided by the air vesicles are able to drift long distances. Although these drifting fronds do not reattach, they are able to survive and and become fertile as they drift. The small embryos remain on reproductive organs, receptacles, until rhizoids are formed, and after detaching they sink and reattach immediately to any surface encountered and develop into a new plant. |
Salinity tolerance range (?) | Venice system: 6. Polymixohaline [18-30psu] 7. Euhaline [30-40psu] References: Paavola M, Olenin S, Leppäkoski E (2005) Are invasive species most successful in habitats of low native species richness across European brackish water seas? Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 64 (2005) 738-750 Weidema IR (2000) Introduced species in the nordic countries. Nord 2000: 13 : 242p Comments: Salinity of 34 per mile is considered optimal for growth. |
Habitat modifying ability potential (?) | Autogenic ecosystem engineers References: Stæhr PA, Pedersen MF, Thomsen MS, Wernberg T, Krause-Jensen D (2000) Invasion of Sargassum muticum in Limfjorden (Denmark) and its possible impact on the indigenous macroalgal community. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Series 207: 79-88 Viejo RM (1997) The effects of colonization by Sargassum muticum on tidepool macroalgal assemblages. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. UK 77: 325-340 Cosson J (1999)On the progressive disappearance of Laminaria digitata on the coasts of Calvados (France). Cryptogamie Algologie 20: 35-42 Tweedley JR, Jackson EL, Attrill MJ (2008) Zostera marina seagrass beds enhance the attachment of the invasive alga Sargassum muticum in soft sediments. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Series 354: 305-309 Comments: Ecosystem engineer Perennial habitat former S.muticum is a strong competitor with indigenous species for space and light through its fast growth and regeneration pattern, high fecundity and biomass, and high densities which prevent settlement and development of other algae. The expansion of S.muticum in Limfjorden (Denmark) has lead to reductions in slow-growing seaweeds, Laminaria saccharina, Codium fragile, Halidrys siliquosa, Fucus vesiculosus. Leathery and foliose algae in tidepools along the Atlantic coast of northern Spain have been negatively affected through competition with S.muticum. Cosson (1999) reported a reduction in coverage of Laminaria digitata in Lower Normandy (France) by S.muticum. S. muticum is able to successfully colonize soft sediments and, furthermore, the presence of Zostera marina may aid attachment, trapping drifting fragments and allowing viable algae to settle on the seagrass matrix in an otherwise unfavorable environment. |
Toxicity / Life stage (?) | Not relevant Comments: There is no information available regarding toxicity of S.muticum. Rotting algae washed ashore onto beaches may cause a strong odour which is considered as nuisance. Dense colonies of species may prevent use of waters for swimming, boating and fishing. |
Bioaccumulation association (?) | Anthropogenic chemical compounds References: Davis, T. A., Volesky, B., Vieira, R. H. S. F. 2000. Sargassum seaweed as biosorbent for heavy metals. Water research, 34(17), pp. 4270-4278. |
Known human health impact? | Known References: Silva, A., Soares, C., Carpena, M., Oliveira, P. G., Echave, J., Chamorro, F., ... Prieto, M. A. 2023. Assessment of Nutritional Profile of Sargassum muticum Alga from the Spanish Coastline. In Biology and Life Sciences Forum , 26(1), pp. 94. Comments: S. muticum, also known as Japanese wireweed or Asian seaweed, is considered edible and has been consumed in some cultures, popular as a soup ingredient in Korea. |
Known economic impact? | Known References: Le, H. N., Hughes, A. D., Kerrison, P. D. 2018. Early development and substrate twine selection for the cultivation of Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt under laboratory conditions. Journal of applied phycology, 30, pp. 2475-2483. Comments: S. muticum is suitable for cultivation. |
Known measurable environmental impact? | Known References: Salvaterra, T., Green, D. S., Crowe, T. P., O’Gorman, E. J. 2013. Impacts of the invasive alga Sargassum muticum on ecosystem functioning and food web structure. Biological invasions, 15, pp. 2563-2576. Comments: S. muticum not only directly impeded the native algal community, but that these effects extended indirectly to the native fauna and therefore caused major changes throughout the ecosystem. |
Included in the Target Species list? | No References: HELCOM, 2009. Alien Species and Ballast Water [PDF]. Available at: (https://archive.iwlearn.net/helcom.fi/stc/files/shipping/Table_2_Alienspecies_%20lists_2009.pdf) |
Association with vessel vectors (?) | Biofouling References: Wallentinus I (1999) Exotics across the ocean. University of Kiel, Berlin Comments: Most introduced populations originate from imports of oysters and mussels, dispersing later as drifting branches. In the Netherlands it was proven that imported oysters can act as a vector for the species and there is risk of storage of live oysters for consumption in basins at the seaside |
Last update by | Sandra Gečaitė, 2024-07-19 |