#Chondria tumulosa

For the first time, nuisance Chondria tumulosa red alga detected beyond Papahānaumokuākea

A red alga first found by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers smothering coral reefs in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument has been detected for the first time by the team outside of the marine monument and more than 2,000 miles away.

Nuisance alga spreading rapidly at Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

Scientists have confirmed the presence of Chondria tumulosa, a nuisance alga that can overgrow coral reefs, within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, raising concerns about its impact on Hawaiʻi’s coral reef ecosystems.

UHMC Water Quality Lab Scientist Returns From Research Trip to Papahānaumokuākea

The team’s mission was to study ways to mitigate the spread of a newly-identified and fast-growing nuisance alga, named Chondria tumulosa, that they say is posing a serious threat to native species.