Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides

We conclude C. fragile exhibits competitive advantages over native seaweeds through opportunistic exploitation of disturbancegenerated gaps within kelp beds. Once established as dense meadows, C. fragile prevents re-colonization by kelp and persists as the dominant canopy-forming seaweed for prolonged periods. (Scheibling and Gagnon, 2006)

We compared epifaunal and epiphytic assemblages on the invasive alga, Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides, with those on native kelps, Laminaria longicruris and L. digitata, at a moderately exposed site on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. (...) These studies demonstrate that stands of Codium and Laminaria accumulate different assemblages of associated fauna and flora. This suggests that a shift from kelp to Codium dominance, or to a mosaic of monospecific or mixed stands of these canopy-forming algae, could have a major effect on patterns of abundance of associated species. (Schmidt and Scheibling, 2006)