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Turbinaria ornata invasion in the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia: ocean drift connectivity

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Abstract

This paper focuses on the invasion by Turbinaria ornata (a brown algae) in the Tuamotu archipelago, French Polynesia [(5–35°S)/(200–230°E)]. Prior to 1980, this alga existed only in the Society and Austral archipelagoes. Between 1985 and 1990, it began to appear in the southern and northern parts of the Tuamotu archipelago. Genetic analyses have been shown not to be appropriate in determining the origin of this algae population. This study investigated the possible ocean drift of floating aggregates of algae. Ocean currents were calculated from satellite data from 1993 to 2001. Their spatial variations as well as their seasonal and interannual variations are described along with calculated drift trajectories. While it was found that mean currents cannot directly transport algae from the Society and Austral archipelagoes to the Tuamotu, the large interannual changes during the El Niño-Southern Oscillation phenomenon produce current reversals that are strong enough to create a transport pathway in a short enough time to allow their survival.

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Acknowledgments

Comments by Hilary Todd and Serge Andréfouët were greatly appreciated. E.M is supported by a grant from the Research Ministry of French Polynesia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geodetic Observatory of Tahiti/ETO/Université de la Polynésie Française, BP 6570 Faaa, Faaa, 98702, French Polynesia

    Elodie Martinez, Keitapu Maamaatuaiahutapu & Claude Payri

  2. Laboratoire d’Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales, UMR CNES/CNRS/IRD/UPS, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, BP A5, Noumea, 98848, New Caledonia

    Alexandre Ganachaud

  3. UMR 7138 Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, BP A5, Noumea, 98848, New Caledonia

    Claude Payri

Authors
  1. Elodie Martinez
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  2. Keitapu Maamaatuaiahutapu
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  3. Claude Payri
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  4. Alexandre Ganachaud
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Correspondence to Elodie Martinez.

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Communicated by Ecology Editor P.J. Mumby.

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Martinez, E., Maamaatuaiahutapu, K., Payri, C. et al. Turbinaria ornata invasion in the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia: ocean drift connectivity. Coral Reefs 26, 79–86 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-006-0160-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-006-0160-3

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