Eucheuma spp.

Pictures

Picture	Title	Caption	Copyright
Title Monoline culture of Eucheuma sp. Caption Monoline culture of Eucheuma sp. off Sabah (Malaysia). Copyright Devakie M. Nair	Monoline culture of Eucheuma sp.	Monoline culture of Eucheuma sp. off Sabah (Malaysia).	Devakie M. Nair

Identity

Preferred Scientific Name

• Eucheuma spp.

Summary of Invasiveness

Wild and farmed crops of Eucheuma denticulatum, Kappaphycus alvarezii and Kappaphycus striatum are the main sources of the commercially important hydrocolloid carrageenan (Ask and Azanza, 2002; Aquaculture Compendium, 2006). Confusion in the taxonomy and systematics of the two distinct genera and several species assigned properly or mistakenly to either one or the other genus, has stemmed from the different names used in commerce and farming, and the lack of materials for proper identification. Negative impacts on the coral reef ecosystem of Kane’ohe Bay in Hawaii by the introduced Kappaphycus spp. have been recorded beginning 1970 (Rodger and Cox, 1999; Conklin and Smith, 2005). No other detailed documentation of the invasiveness of these species has been published.

The Global Invasive Species Database has listed the following as “exotic and invasive species”: 1) Kappaphycus alvarezii, 2) Kappaphycus cottonii, 3) Eucheuma denticulatum, 4) Eucheuma striatum (=Kappaphycus striatum) and 5) Kappaphycus spp.

Taxonomic Tree

• Domain: Eukaryota
•     Kingdom: Plantae
•         Phylum: Rhodophyta
•             Class: Rhodophyceae
•                 Order: Gigartinales
•                     Family: Solieriaceae
•                         Genus: Eucheuma spp.

Description

The thallus of Eucheuma denticulatum ranges from 35 to 74 cm. Branches are brittle to cartilaginous in consistency, ranging from 7 to 9 cm in length, with whorled/spinous branchlets. The cell diameters are as follows: 2-5 µm outer cortex, 30-196 µm inner cortex and 20-45 µm medulla. Rhizoids of the medulla are present but thylles are absent. Tetrasporangia are zonate with tetraspores ranging from 13 to 36 µm in diameter. Spermatophyte conceptacles range over 350-650 x 300-420 µm with a spermatial diameter of 14-29 µm. Cystocarps and carpospores have not been observed in this species (after Azanza-Corrales, 1990).

Plant Type

Distribution

Eucheuma is also present in Madagascar (E Ask, Inst Fomento Pesquero, Div Fomento Acuicultura, Puerto Montt, Chile, personal communication, 2004) and Kenya (J Wakibia, personal communication, 2004).

Distribution Table

The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.

Introductions

Habitat List

Biology and Ecology

Reproductive Biology

The life cycle of Eucheuma spp. is triphasic and consists of the carposporophyte (2n) and gametophyte (n) phases. The vegetative and reproductive structures of tetrasporic and gametophytic populations and their occurrence in farming sites in the Philippines have been reported. Dawes (1979) found no differences in carrageenan yield between sexual stages of Eucheuma.

E. denticulatum produces zonate tetraspores. E. denticulatum from farms were found to have more tetrasporophytes than in the wild. Male gametophytes and structures are rare to unknown in this genus. In a study conducted by Azanza-Corrales et al. (1992), vegetative regeneration of plants will continue the same reproductive phases, thus, the ratio of reproductive phase (i.e. male, female and tetrasporic) may reflect that of the original plants introduced in the area. Sporogenesis and gametogenesis might occur without release or germination. Spores might be released but lack of suitable substrates at the site would lessen the possibility of spore settlement and germination.

Clone cultivation, however, is presently very useful for farming; further research, should therefore include the use of sporelings for culture as in other economically important seaweeds such as Porphyra and Laminaria. Sporeling cultivation could provide the possibility of other farming manipulations and increase genetic variation.

Field studies on these crops have shown the negative effects of exposure to excessive light. Light response curves have been plotted for the commercial eucheumatoids. The different colour types of E. denticulatum and K. alvarezii have different photosynthetic responses. Ecotypic differentiation and variation in photosynthetic efficiency have been shown for E. denticulatum colour types red, brown and green, which were not shown by K. alvarezii when nitrogen was limiting (Ask and Azanza, 2001).

Temperature responses of this crop have been well studied in the field and laboratory. E. denticulatum and K. striatum (var. tambalang and elkhorn) have maximum photosynthetic rates at 30ºC with inhibition at 35-40ºC. An optimum photosynthetic rate was obtained between 30 and 35ºC for E. denticulatum. In tropical areas, Trono and Ohno (1989) reported that rapid growth and high biomass production by Kappaphycus and Eucheuma occur during months characterized by warmer temperature, i.e. 25-30ºC.

The growth or photosynthetic response of commercial eucheumatoids in relation to salinity has not been reported. According to Mathieson and Dawes (1974) in E. isiforme a photosynthetic maxima is achieved at 30-40 practical salinity untis (PSU) depending on temperature. Mairh et al. (1986) also reported that in laboratory grown E. striatum, thalli did not survive beyond 7-14 days in less than 24 psu or above 45 psu. Ask and Azanza (2001) suggested that single and interactive effects of salinity with other factors on the commercial cultivation of Eucheuma should be studied because in shallow floating forms or off bottom farms exposed at low tide the crops can be exposed to rapid decreases in salinity during tropical downpours. Noticeable drops in temperature and light levels also occur and plants located in the inter-tidal zone can experience rapid changes in salinity from freshwater runoff.

Climate

Air Temperature

Water Tolerances

Natural enemies

Pathway Causes

Pathway Vectors

Impact Summary

Risk and Impact Factors

• Has a broad native range
• Highly adaptable to different environments
• Pioneering in disturbed areas
• Fast growing
• Reproduces asexually

• Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
• Modification of natural benthic communities
• Reduced native biodiversity
• Threat to/ loss of endangered species
• Threat to/ loss of native species

• Competition - shading
• Competition - smothering
• Fouling
• Rapid growth
• Rooting
• Trampling

Uses List

Animal feed, fodder, forage

• Fishmeal
• Fodder/animal feed
• Invertebrate food

Environmental

• Revegetation
• Wildlife habitat

Fuels

• Biofuels

General

• Laboratory use
• Research model

Human food and beverage

• Emergency (famine) food
• Flour/starch
• Food additive
• Gum/mucilage
• Vegetable

Materials

• Cosmetics
• Fertilizer
• Fibre
• Gum/resin

References

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Links to Websites

Contributors

05/05/2008 Updated by:

Rhodora Azanza, The Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Velasquez Street,  Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines

Main Author
Rhodora Azanza
The Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Velasquez Street, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines

Distribution Maps