Tag: Aquatic Invasive Species

Three-panel image showing the invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea underwater and as a close-up specimen, highlighting its narrow, paired green leaves.

Getting Ahead of the Spread: Meet Halophila stipulacea, Florida’s New Invasive Seagrass

by Holly Abeels
July 9, 2026

A new invasive seagrass is spreading in Florida waters, and scientists are asking people to help watch for it. Halophila stipulacea is a small tropical seagrass that was first found in Florida in 2024 in Biscayne Bay near Key Biscayne. Since ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Aquatic Invasive Species, Coastal Systems, Environment, Florida Sea Grant, Indian River Lagoon, Seagrass
Coral reef and sponges in the Gulf of Mexico.

Be on the Lookout: a potential new invasive species-Xeniid soft corals

by Ana Zangroniz
February 28, 2023

What is it? Coral reef scientists in the Caribbean recently released a paper cataloging the spread of a new invader on Venezuelan coral reefs:  an Indo-Pacific soft coral or octocoral. This species, categorized as Unomia stolonifera, is ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Tags: Aquatic Invasive Species, Florida Sea Grant, Marine Invaders, Natural Resources, Soft Corals

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