A multifaceted ecological assessment reveals the invasion of the freshwater red macroalga (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) in Taiwan.

Invasive freshwater macroalgae are rarely described. is a freshwater red alga introduced from South America to East Asia via the global aquarium trade. The earliest occurrence record of this alga in Taiwan is dated 2005. To determine whether . has become invasive in Taiwan and to understand the traits that facilitated its invasion, we took a multifaceted approach that combines examination of ecological background and population genetic analysis. Our island-wide survey showed that . is widespread in the field across Taiwan, where the climate greatly differs from that of South America, and can self-sustain for nearly a decade. Our population genetic analysis revealed a lack of genetic diversity of .  in Taiwan, consistent with the hypothesis that the alga expanded through asexual reproduction. Moreover, during our long-term ecological assessments and field surveys, we observed that . is an ecological generalist that can survive in a wide range of temperature, pH, illumination, and nutrient enrichment. Taken together, our data suggest that . has successfully invaded the freshwater ecosystems of Taiwan, likely due to its ability to disperse asexually and to grow under broad environmental conditions. We hope that our study brings attention to invasive freshwater algae, which have been overlooked in conservation planning and management.