First report of Laurencia chondrioides (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) and its potential to be an invasive in the eastern Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean coast of Israel is well knownas a hotspot of invasive marine species, mostly from theIndian and Pacific oceans. Here, we report the first occurrenceof the red seaweed Laurencia chondrioides in theeastern Mediterranean Sea. Large quantities of this specieswere observed in the algal drift on the sandy shoresas well as on rocky surfaces of the upper and middleinfralittoral zone. This highly abundant invasive species,present along the northern shore of Israel, represents aserious threat to the local marine flora. Some aspects ofits ecology and invasive behavior in this region are alsodiscussed.