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Concise review of the genus Asparagopsis Montagne, 1840

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Abstract

Asparagopsis (Bonnemaisoniaceae, Rhodophyta) species are distributed in most temperate and tropical waters of the world, where they are considered an iconic invader. Despite a low number of species in the genus, Asparagopsis armata and A. taxiformis are considered species complexes, revealing remarkable genetic diversity in native and introduced distribution ranges. Macroscopic life stages that characterize the life cycle, gametophytes, and tetrasporophytes, present different morphologic, photosynthetic, physiological, and ecological features, which may aid in the course of an invasive process. Asparagopsis presence lowers diversity and abundance of native macroalgal communities. Despite hosting a relatively high number of epiphytes and epifauna, lower numbers are consistently found in these invasive species when compared to native flora. The chemical composition of A. armata and A. taxiformis and thus, its commercial applications have been studied since the 1970s. Recently, the discovery of its properties as a potent methane release inhibitor from ruminant animals has boosted a renewed scientific, media, and commercial interest in the genus. Sourcing biomass remains a challenge, and while techniques of cultivation are available, more needs to be done to reach the scale needed to fit such large-volume application. Much is yet to be expected from this red algal genus.

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Data availability

The datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

M. Zanolla is funded by the AXA Research Fund (2019-AXA-THEME1-021, “Valorisation potential of invasive seaweed species in Ireland”). This review is part of the project RUGULOPTERYX funded by Fundación Biodiversidad (Marine Conservation 2020).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Marianela Zanolla

  2. Departamento de Ecología Y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n. 29071, Málaga, España

    Raquel Carmona

  3. Marine Plant Ecology Research Group, Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve (CCMAR), 8005-139, Gambelas, Faro, Portugal

    Leonardo Mata

  4. Greener Grazing, LLC, Greenfield, MA, 01301, USA

    Leonardo Mata

  5. Departamento de Botanica, Universidad de Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, Granada, España

    Julio De la Rosa

  6. University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, School of Life Sciences, Honolulu, Hawai’i, USA

    Alison Sherwood

  7. Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, España

    Carlos Navarro Barranco

  8. Biogeography, Diversity, and Conservation Research Team, Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071, Málaga, España

    Antonio Román Muñoz

  9. Departamento de Botánica Y Fisiología Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071, Málaga, España

    María Altamirano

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  1. Marianela Zanolla
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Zanolla, M., Carmona, R., Mata, L. et al. Concise review of the genus Asparagopsis Montagne, 1840. J Appl Phycol 34, 1–17 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02665-z

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