Presence of Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskål) J. Agardh in Ceuta (Northern Africa, Gibraltar Area)

Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskål) J. Agardh has been recorded along the Mediterranean Sea since the 1920s, and since then has continually invaded its coasts moving westward towards the Atlantic. In recent years, authors have revealed the negative effect of the species on the Mediterranean’s benthic communities. Taking into account that the latest reference placed the species in Murcia (Southeastern Spain) in 2005, we now give evidence here of the presence of this invasive algae in Ceuta, a Spanish city located in the Strait of Gibraltar on the North Africa Coast. This is the first and westernmost recorded presence of the species in the area. Characteristics of the located patches are given.