Temperature and salinity responses of drifting specimens of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) farmed on the Brazilian tropical coast

Bioinvasion events causing serious environmental damage have been a concern with the mariculture of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty ex P.C. Silva, suggesting the importance of studying the biological aspects of drifting specimens of K. alvarezii for monitoring programs. The present study aims to evaluate the tolerance and growth of drifting color variants of K. alvarezii under different temperatures and salinities to determine their physiological capacity for growing outside cultivation rafts. Drifting color variants were collected in Paraíba State, Brazil, in November 2011(dry month) and August 2012 (rainy month), and cultivated in the laboratory under different temperatures (20, 24, 28, and 32 °C) and salinities (15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 psu). Growth rates as well as pigment and protein contents were determined. Results showed that drifting specimens collected in the dry month showed higher tolerance to variation in temperature (20 to 28 °C) and salinity (25 to 35 psu) than drifting specimens collected in the rainy month. Higher growth rates occurred in samples cultured at 20 and 24 °C (2.8–3 % day −1 ) and 25 to 35 psu (3.4–3.5 % day −1 ), suggesting temperature and salinity optima. Higher phycobiliprotein levels were observed in the red and brown variants under hypersaline conditions (45 and 55 psu). Higher chlorophyll a contents were associated with samples cultivated at 20–24 °C and 24–35 psu. Based on the results of the present study, drifting specimens collected in dry month are more tolerant to temperature and salinity variations, suggesting that the drifting K. alvarezii should be monitored especially during this period to prevent its establishment outside the cultivation rafts and dispersion along the northeastern coast of Brazil.