Challenges and opportunities of the exotic invasive macroalga Rugulopteryx okamurae (Phaeophyceae, Heterokontophyta)

The invasion of Rugulopteryx okamurae along the southern European coastline is producing significant ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Its rapid proliferation and high adaptability have cause severe ecosystem disruptions, displacing indigenous species and altering habitat structures. Various factors, including favorable environmental conditions and chemical defenses, have contributed to its rapid spread. This situation has prompted urgent interdisciplinary research and the implementation of management strategies. Regulatory frameworks have been established to address its invasive status, aiming to control the bio-invasion. Valorization strategies could contribute to sustainable marine ecosystem management and marine biotechnology advancements. R. okamurae presents a wide variety of valuable molecules in its internal composition, such as alginates, terpenoids or carotenoids, with potential biotechnological applications. Promising results have been obtained using R. okamurae in compost or biostimulants, as supplements in aquafeed or as part of biomaterial to develop eco-friendly products. Some molecules like terpenoids have shown anti-inflammatory properties with applications in the nutraceutical industry. However, significant challenges remain in fully understanding its biology, ecological impacts, and effective control measures. Coordinated efforts among scientists, politicians, companies and stakeholders are essential to mitigate its spread and explore its potential for sustainable resource utilization. The ecological and economic impacts are being studied but there is a still scarce number of studies to follow a strategy of control based in blue and circular economy.

Funding for open access publishing: Universidad Málaga/CBUA. This research work was financed by BLUEMARO Project funded by Spanish State Research Agency, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spanish Government (grant number PID2020-116136RB-I00). Leonel Pereira thanks Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) the support by the institutional funding to the Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for People and the Planet (CFE; UIDB/04004/2020; https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/04004/2020), financed by FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC), Associate Laboratory TERRA (LA/P/0092/2020; https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0092/2020). Noelia Flórez-Fernández acknowledges to the Xunta de Galicia for her postdoctoral grant (ED481D-2022/018). María Dolores Torres thanks the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Spain) for her postdoctoral grant (RYC2018-024454-I) and the Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Universidade da Xunta de Galicia (ED431F 2020/01).