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Publication #SGEF155

Can we stop "killer algae" from invading Florida?1

Charles Jacoby, Linda Walters2

Introduced species that cause harm to ecosystems, economies, or human health represent a serious threat in Florida and around the world. One example of such a species, an invasive species, is “killer algae” or the Mediterranean strain of Caulerpa taxifolia. This fact sheet explains the origin of “killer algae,” the changes it has wrought, what it looks like, how it invades so successfully, and what each of us can do about preventing an invasion in Florida.

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Footnotes

1. This document is SGEF-155, published by the Florida Sea Grant College Program with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Sea Grant, U.S. Department of Commerce. Published June 2004. For more information or printed copies, contact Florida Sea Grant, PO Box 110400, Gainesville, FL 32611-0400, 352-392-5870.

2. Charles Jacoby, Assistant Professor, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611

Linda Walters, Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32186

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.