Surveying Caulerpa (Chlorophyta) species along the shores of the eastern Mediterranean

Caulerpa (Chlorophyta) species inhabiting intertidal and shallow subtidal areas along the Israeli Mediterranean shores (i.e., presence/absence) were surveyed on a seasonal basis from 2007 to 2009. We recorded the presence of three species: C. prolifera, C. mexicana, and C. scalpelliformis. These species were noticeable in autumn and inconspicuous during winter, thus revealing seasonality and population dynamics. There were no indications of well-known invasive species such as Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea and Caulerpa taxifolia. This study is the first of a kind that assesses the geographical distribution and seasonality of the genus Caulerpa along the Israeli shores.