First record of the seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Forskkal) Ascherson in the waters of the continental United States (Key Biscayne, Florida)

Abstract

The first record of Halophila stipulacea is reported for the continental waters of the United States. In August 2024, a small meadow was identified inside Crandon Marina on Key Biscayne, Florida, USA. Following surveys have revealed that H. stipulacea has spread to adjacent areas immediately outside of the marina, often growing either in close proximity to, or interspersed with, the native seagrasses Thalassia testudinum, Syringodium filiforme, and Halodule wrightii. This serves as an initial report and extends the geographic scope of this introduced species in the Western Atlantic basin.