Abstract
While the seagrass Halophila stipulacea reproduces both sexually and asexually in its native range, reproduction is largely asexual in its invasive range in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Seas. Here we make the first report of fruit-bearing H. stipulacea in the Caribbean. Although the lack of reports of H. stipulacea fruit could be the consequence of past survey effort, multiple recent reports of both flowers and fruit across the invasive range strongly suggest that introductions of H. stipulacea in the tropical western Atlantic and Caribbean included both sexes of this dioecious seagrass. This finding may have important implications for the future dispersal, survival, and maintenance of the non-native population.
About the authors
Kelcie L. Chiquillo is a PhD candidate of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her research is broadly interested in using multidisciplinary approaches to understand the origins and ecological dynamics of invasive marine organisms, and will use this information to advance marine conservation and biodiversity. Kelcie hopes to become a professor and continue to do research and mentor diversity students to increase minority participation in marine science.
Paul H. Barber is a professor of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Paul’s research program integrates genetics, genomics, ecology, and oceanography to understand the evolution of marine biodiversity, and uses this information to promote marine conservation. He was recently named HHMI Professor, and continues to integrate this research in the context of educational programs, like The Diversity Project, to promote and increase minority participation in marine science.
Demian A. Willette is an assistant professor of ecology at Loyola Marymount University, USA. His research interests include applied ecology, biological invasions, conservation biology, and fisheries management. He is a Fulbright Global Scholar and conducts research across the Pacific and Caribbean regions.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by NSF Bridge to Doctorate Award HRD-1400789, NSF GRFP Award DGE-1650604, NPS Cooperative Research award to P13AC00676 to DAW, and UCLA EEB Travel funds to KLC. We thank P. Jobsis, E. Cruz- Rivera, S. Habtes, I. Byrne, W. Sears, A. Jensen, K. Wilson-Grimes, E. Ryznar (dcp), P. Fong, M. Joaquin, E. Chiquillo, R. Chiquillo, and L. Chiquillo for their assistance.
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