Rogue algae may harm
Mediterranean fish
An unusually aggressive, alien
seaweed that outcompetes local flora for Mediterranean floor space may
also alter the activity of detoxification enzymes in fish that share
its water.
References:
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency. USDA. 1999. Noxious weeds:
Update of weed lists. Final Rule. Federal Register [Docket No. 98-063-2]
64(March 16).
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency. USDA. 1998. Noxious weeds:
Update of weed lists. Proposed Rule. Federal Register [Docket No.
98-063-1] 64( Dec. 4.)
Uchimura, M., R. Sandeaux, and C. Larroque. 1999. The enzymatic detoxifying
system of a native Mediterranean Scorpio fish is affected by Caulerpa
taxifolia in its environment. Environmental Science & Technology
33(May 15):1671.
Further Readings:
Raloff, J. 1998. Alien seaweed is aquarium escapee. Science News
154(Nov. 21):332.
______. 1998. U.S. ban urged for alien alga. Science News
154(Nov. 21):332.
______. 1998. Rogue algae.
Science News 154(July 4):8.
______. 1992. From tough ruffle to quagga. Science News 142(July
24):56.
Sources:
Christian Larroque
INSERM
Unité 128
Route de Mende
34293 Montpellier Cedex 5
France
Polly P. Lehtonen
United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
4700 River Road Unit 133
Riverdale, MD 20737-1236
James N. Norris
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History
Washington, DC 20560
From Science
News, Vol. 155, No. 22, May 29, 1999, p. 343.
Copyright © 1999, Science Service.
