A Comparison Among Assemblages in Areas Invaded byCaulerpa taxifoliaandC. racemosaon a Subtidal Mediterranean Rocky Bottom

This study compares the structure of Mediterranean macroalgal assemblages invaded byCaulerpa taxifoliaandC. racemosa. Assemblages in areas colonized by the two algae and in reference areas were sampled and analyzed for 2 years. Significant differences were recorded both between reference and invaded areas and between areas invaded by differentCaulerpaspecies. Macroalgal assemblages colonized byC. racemosawere more separated from references than those colonized byC. taxifolia. Differences between assemblages colonized byC. racemosaand the others decreased during the alga's period of vegetative rest and increased at the last sampling date. While erect and turf species showed similar patterns in invaded areas, covers of encrusting algae were lower inC. racemosaareas than inC. taxifoliaareas.