The project revolves around Dictyota cyanoloma, an algal species detected in the port of Barcelona that, however, was unknown in the Mediterranean to date.

The project revolves around Dictyota cyanoloma, an algal species detected in the port of Barcelona that, however, was unknown in the Mediterranean to date.

Research carried out on Dictyota cyanoloma in 2013 found that it was a non-native species with a notable presence in Mediterranean ports, where it was experiencing a great expansion. In addition, it was detected that its abundance in some ports could lead to ecological problems since this species has phenolic compounds that, in large quantities, can be toxic. Therefore, the objectives of this project are:

• To expand the knowledge of Dictyota cyanoloma about its life cycle, its vegetative and reproductive phenology and its ecological requirements.
• Analyse their chemical components to know their exact nature and thus assess their possible toxicity and pharmacological application.
• To know the current distribution of this species in the Mediterranean and to define its optimal development habitats in order to predict the possible future colonization of the coasts.
• Use all this knowledge to develop a program to prevent and control the expansion of this species along our coasts.

This project will be carried out through sampling in various ports in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic and the monthly monitoring of a colony of Dictyota cyanoloma to know its vegetative and reproductive phenology.