THE INFLUENCE OF THE INTRODUCED TROPICAL ALGA CAULERPA-TAXIFOLIA, ON THE BIODIVERSITY OF THE MEDITERRANEAN MARINE BIOTA

The Mediterranean proliferation of Caulerpa taxifolia provides an oppo rtunity to examine the extent to which an introduced species can modif y biodiversity. During 1992, benthic invertebrates were sampled in Roq uebrune-Cap Martin area, at depths of 6 and 10 m, from a Caulerpa stat ion and a reference station. Species richness is slightly lower at 6 m within Caulerpa while the number of specimens is much reduced at both depths. Similarity indices compare well between reference and Caulerp a stations.