Impact of exotic invasive plants on selected reptiles -- green sea turtle

Interestingly, some exotic pest plants may have benefitted turtles. The green sea turtle is an herbivorous species that is endangered world-wide. The red algae species Hypnea musciformis was introduced into the Hawaiian Islands in 1974 from its native Florida. Since its introduction it has spread rapidly invading niches occupied by native species of Hypnea. Although the exotic algae is capable of inhibiting the growth of native species, some believe that the total productivity of certain Hawaiian reefs has increased due to the addition of H. musciformis. Green sea turtles utilize the exotic algae which sometimes represents 99-100 percent of the seaweed mass found in their stomachs (Russell and Balazs, 1994).

SOURCES

• Russell, D. J. and G. H. Balazs. 1994. Colonization by the alien marine alga Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) J. Ag. (Rhodophyta: Gigartinales) in the Hawaiian Islands and its utilization by the green turtle, Chelonia mydas L. Aquatic Biology. 47:53-60.