Two red macroalgae newly introduced into New Zealand: Pachymeniopsis lanceolata (K. Okamura) Y. Yamada ex S. Kawabata and Fushitsunagia catenata Filloramo et G. W. Saunders

Abstract

Abstract Introductions of macroalgae are becoming more common with increased surveillance and the use of molecular tools to unequivocally identify invaders. We here report two non-indigenous macroalgal species newly confirmed to be present in New Zealand. Pachymeniopsis lanceolata is an irregularly divided foliose blade, first detected in Lyttleton Harbour/Whakaraupō, South Island but here also reported from the North Island. It has known introductions from its native range in Pacific Asia to the Mediterranean, Atlantic and the eastern Pacific. The introduced cox3 haplotype was also found in New Zealand, suggesting a secondary introduction from a previous introduced area, but we also found a novel haplotype in the North Island suggesting a case of multiple introductions. Fushitsunagia catenata, a recent segregate from Lomentaria, was also first detected in Whakaraupō and was initially identified as a species of Champia. RbcL data shows that it belongs to F. catenata. This species is also of Asian origin and has been known to have been introduced to Spain, Mexico, and Australia. We provide morphological and reproductive descriptions of the species in New Zealand. Continued surveillance, and follow up monitoring, are needed to track the expansion and effects of these macroalgae on native biotas.