DISTRIBUTION AND SYSTEMATICS OF FRESHWATER CERAMIALES (RHODOPHYTA) IN NORTH AMERICA1

Twenty-five freshwater populations of Ceramiales were collected in North America, 24 of which were from the tropical rainforest region of Central America and the Caribbean. The streams tended to be moderate in mean current velocity (X?= 23.3 cm·S^?1) and maximum width (X?= 6.3 m) but high in temperature (X?= 23.1°C), pH (X?= 7.9), and specific conductance (X?= 320 μS·cm^?1). Three Bostrychia species were restricted to the Caribbean islands: B. moritziana (Sonder ex Kütz.) J. Ag. (syn. B. cornigera Mont. and B. radicans f. moliforme Post), with ecorticate indeterminate axes, monosiphonous ultimate branches, and cladohaptera; B. radicans (Mont.) Mont. (syn. B. leprieurii Mont and B. rivularis Harv.), with ecorticate and polysiphonous axes throughout and cladophaptera; and B. tenella (Lamour.) J. Ag., with corticate indeterminate axes, monosiphonous ultimate branches, and peripherohaptera. Ballia prieurii Kütz. was found in Belize and Costa Rica and was characterized by rebranched determinate laterals, opposite branching, and long apical cells (X?= 61 μm) and axial cells (X?= 43 μm). Caloglossa leprieurii (Mont.) J. Ag. was localized in Puerto Rico while. C. ogasawaerensis Okam. was collected only in Costa Rica. The two species were separated by site of branching (midrib vs. margin) and blade width (X?= 384 vs. 861 μm). Polysiphonia subtilissima Mont. from Florida and Jamaica had four pericentral cells, no cortication, rhizoids arising from pericentral cells, and branches initiated at trichoblast scars.     

福建红树林区大型藻类的生态学研究

主要研究中国福建省红树林区大型藻类分布、优势种的生物量和林冠下藻种的垂直分布特点。结果表明:福建红树林区的大型藻类有24属42种,其中蓝藻8属15种、红藻3属7种、绿藻13属20种。优势种中鹧鸪菜(Caloglossa leprieurii)和节附链藻(Catenella impudica)的生物量在6月分别为2.22～8.44g/m~2 DW和2.69g/m~2 DW,在12月分别为0.15～0.20g/m~2 DW和2.12g/m~2 DW。红树林中树干上附着生长的大型藻类的垂直分布自下而上可分成6个带:1.无隔藻(Vaucheria sp.)带;2、节附链藻带;3.侧枝鹧鸪菜-混合卷枝藻(Caloglossa ogasawaraensis-Bostrychia mixta)带;4.鹧鸪菜带;5.硬毛藻-岸生根枝藻(Chaetomorpha macrotona-Rhizoclonium riparium)带;6.绿球藻(Chlorococcum sp.)带。     

Ecological Characteristics of Macroalgae in Mangrove Forests in Fujian,China

The flora and distribution of macroalgae as well as the biomass of its two dominant species were studied in mangrove forests in Fujian Province, China. There were totally 42 species belonging to 24 genera of macroalgae, in which 15 species/8 genera belonged to Cyanophyta, 7/3 to Rhodophyta, and 20/13 to Chlorophyta. The biomass of the dominant species Caloglossa leprieurii and Catenella impudica were 2.22 to 8.44 g/m2 DW and 2.69 g/m2 DW in June,and 0.15 to 0.20 g/m2 DW and 2.12 g/m2 DW in December, respectively. On the tnmk surface of the mangrove plants,macroalgae appeared vertically to be distributed from lower upwards into six belts, namely Vaucheria sp. belt, Catenella impudica belt, Caloglossa ogasawaraensis-Bostrychia mixta belt, Calogiossa leprieurii belt, Chaetomorpha macrotona-Rhizoclonium riparium belt, and Chlorococcum sp. belt.     

Spore discharge in the red algae Bostrychia tenella and Caloglossa leprieurii from the Godavari estuary,India

Bostrychia tenella (Vohl.) J. Ag. and Caloglossa leprieurii (Mont.) J. Ag., two examples of species important for human consumption from estuaries in Asia, were studied with respect to spore formation and release with a long-term view to their mass cultivation. Plants were collected between January and December 1987 from three different regions of the Gautami Godavari estuary, India. Both species behaved rather similarly. Tetrasporophytic plants were present throughout the year, whereas carposporophytic plants were found only in certain months. Shedding of tetraspores was observed throughout the year, but with seasonal difference in their output. Carpospores were liberated from October to May when the material was available. Maximum shedding of carpospores and tetraspores was observed in December and January and the minimum number of tetraspores in August and carpospores in May. The maximum number of spores was liberated, when plants were submerged at 20% salinity.     

LIFE HISTORIES IN THE PHYLLOPHORACEAE (RHODOPHYTA: GIGARTINALES) FROM THE PACIFIC COAST OF NORTH AMERICA. I. GYMNOGONGRUS LINEARIS AND G. LEPTOPHYLLUS1

Carpospores of Gymnogongrus linearis (C. Ag.) J. Ag. collected from Sonoma Co., California were cultured and gave rise to crustose plants. Tetrasporogenesis could not be induced. However, tetraspores from field-collected crustose tetrasporophytes found near G. linearis from San Mateo Co., California were cultured. These field crusts superficially resemble Petrocelis middendorffii (Ruprecht) Kjellman, but differ in size, color, number of tetrasporangia per filament, and distal dichotomous branching of the perithallial filaments. Tetraspores gave rise to upright plants identical to G. linearis. Gymnogongrus leptophyllus J. Ag. collected from California and Baja California, Mexico were found as narrow and wide forms. Narrow form isolates recycled directly without producing a crustose tetrasporophyte. These are interpreted as apogamous. Carpospores of the wide form grew into crusts resembling Petrocelis (=Erythrodermis) haematis Hollenberg. Tetrasporogenesis was induced in culture by abrasion or dehydration. Tetraspores from field-collected crusts and laboratory cultured tetrasporophytes grew into plants identical to G. leptophyllus, completing a sexual life history with an alternation of heteromorphic generations.     

EFFECTS OF SALINITY ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF CALOGLOSSA LEPRIEURII (RHODOPHYTA) IN THE BRISBANE RIVER,AUSTRALIA1

The role of salinity as a factor determining the distribution of two red algal taxa, Caloglossa leprieurii (Mont.) J. Ag. var. leprieurii and Caloglossa leprieurii var. angusta Jao, along the course of the Brisbane River, Queensland, Australia, was investigated. In the field, C. leprieurii var. angusta tolerated a narrower salinity range (mean salinity = 0.0–18.9) than C. leprieurii var. leprieurii (mean salinity = 2.0–33.8) and occupied areas of lower salinity (salinity expressed according to the Practical Salinity Scale of 1978). Both taxa coexisted for a distance of 23 km along the middle reaches of the river. Cell measurements of specimens of both taxa collected along the river showed an increase in cell sizes upstream from the mouth. Results of a reciprocal transplant experiment and growth responses in a series of laboratory culture studies of the two taxa in a range of salinities are presented. These could be correlated with the field distribution of the algae, demonstrating their euryhalinity and the presence of distinct salinity ecotypes.     

CULTURE AND HYBRIDIZATION STUDIES ON GIGARTINA PAPILLATA (RHODOPHYTA)1

The foliose red alga Gigartina papillata (C. Ag.) J. Ag. was studied in culture to determine its life history and possible relationship to the life history of Petrocelis middendorffii (Ruprecht) Kjellman. Carpospores cultured from individual female plants gave rise to either crustose Petrocelis-like plants that reproduced by tetraspores, or to another generation of foliose female (cystocarpic) plants that reproduced by carpospores. Apices cultured from blades of individual field-collected female plants produced either papillae with many procarps that developed cystocarps only when crossed with male plants, or papillae with few procarps that produced cystocarps in the absence of male plants. The results are interpreted to demonstrate that two types of life history occur in G. papillata: one, a sexual life history involving a crustose tetrasporophyte; the other, a possibly apomictic life history involving only cystocarpic plants. Hybridization experiments demonstrated, that G. papillata is interfertile with Gigartina-phase gametophytes cultured from tetraspores of P. middendorffii. Sexual plants of G. papillata are postulated to represent the naturally-occurring gametophyte of P. middendorffii in California. The possible relationships of the sexual and apomictic plants of G. papillata are discussed.     

THE LIFE HISTORIES OF RHODOCHORTON PURPUREUM AND R. TENUE IN CULTURE

The life histories of the red algae Rhodochorton purpureum and R. tenue were studied in unialgal culture. Telrasporophytes produced sporangia in short day regimes (8–12 hr) with 50–200 ft-c cool white light at 10 or 15 C. Mature gametophytes were not observed in the Washington and Alaska clones of R. purpureum. Tetraspores from R. tenue and the California clones of R. purpureum give rise to unisexual gametophytes that are reproductive when smaller than the tetrasporophytes. The tetrasporophytes develop directly from the gonimoblast cells. Because of similarities in morphology and life histories, it is proposed that R. tenue be placed in synonomy with R. purpureum.     

UNUSUAL PHENOMENA IN THE LIFE HISTORIES OF FLORIDEAE IN CULTURE1

Several Florideae grown in natural seawater media under defined laboratory conditions have interesting and unusual life histories. Antithamnion occidentale males of one generation produced tetraspores that gave rise to nonsporangiate males. The functional females of A. pygmaeum developed spermatangia and tetrasporangia; the tetraspores formed new females. Antithamnion defectum tetrasporophytes of one generation bore spermatangia in addition to tetrasporangia; the tetraspores gave rise to typical gametophytes. Tetraspores from successive generations of Callitham-nion sp. developed into tetrasporophytes and males but no females were produced. Functional female gametophytes of Platythamnion sp. bore abortive tetrasporangia. Field-collected plants of two species of Fauchea produced tetraspores that yielded additional sporangiate plants: those of F. pygmaea being bispo-rangiate and tetrasporangiate, and those of F. lacini-ata being strictly tetrasporangiate. Male plants of Pleonosporium vancouverianum from a running seawater table bore spermatangia and polysporangia when collected. The same plants in unialgal culture produced only spermatangia.     

PHYSIOLOGICAL COMPARISON OF THE ISOMORPHIC LIFE HISTORY PHASES OF THE HIGH INTERTIDAL ALGA ENDOCLADIA MURICATA (RHODOPHYTA)1

The isomorphic phases of Endocladia muricata (Post. & Rupr.) J. Ag. Were compared for photosynthetic and respiratory difference in response to a variety of environmental manipulations. Photosynthetic light response during submergence at 15° C and the pattern of respiratory recovery following prolonged emergence (3 h) at either 15° or 30° C were similar between gametophytes and tetrasporophytes. The phases showed the same ability to photosynthesize and respire during emergence at each temperature tested (15°, 25°, and 35° C, fully hydrated thalli) and at various desiccation state (measured at 25° C only). Submerged rates of photosynthesis following prolonged emergence at 15° and 30° C were, however slightly greater (17%) for tetrasporophytes as compared to gametophytes. Regardless of the life history phase, plants incubated at 15° C during emergence recovered more completely than plants incubated at 30° C. Photosynthetic recovery after 1 h in plants incubated at 15° C often “spiked” and yielded rates as great as 185% of pretreatment rates. Increased photosynthetic rates during recovery were absent for the 30° C incubations. The initial photosynthetic recovery of plants collected from the upper limits of distribution was greater than that of plants collected from the lower limits. Recovered rates of respiration were highly variable over time. Respiration often exceeded pretreatment values more then threefold, and the elevated rates were sustained for 12 h. Photosynthesis and respiration in air were comparable to rates in seawater and varied slightly with increasing temperature. Photosynthetic and respiratory rates also decreased with increasing tissue water loss. Thus, only slight differences in physiological performance were observed between phases and individuals collected from different vertical positions. Metabolic differences were transient and apparent only under experimental conditions that modeled extreme environmental conditions.     

OCCURRENCE OF A EUROPEAN RED ALGA (SCHOTTERA NICAEENSIS) IN SOUTHERN AUSTRALIAN WATERS1

Schottera nicaeensis (Phyllophoraceae, Gigartinales), presently known only from the western Mediterranean Sea and the northeastern Atlantic coasts of Europe, is reported for the first time from the Melbourne region of Port Phillip Bay in southeastern Australia. The species is perennial in the Bay, although tetrasporophytes and cystocarpic plants are commonest in late spring and early summer. This seasonal pattern, and the vegetative habits of plants during the whole of the year, show similarities to populations described by other workers for Northern Hemisphere localities where comparable water temperature and daylength regimes obtain. The small Australian S. nicaeensis community is found at 5–9 m depths and is concentrated on lighthouse foundations adjacent to the main Port of Melbourne shipping channel. It is hypothesized that the species has recently been introduced into Port Phillip Bay, and a scenario for its possible means of import on ships is suggested.     

FIELD AND CULTURE STUDIES ON GIGARTINA AGARDHII (RHODOPHYTA)1,2

Cultured carpospores from field-collected plants of Gigartina agardhii Selfchell & Gardner gave rise to either Petrocelis-like crustose plants, or basal discs with erect Gigartina-like blades. Made tips excised from field-collected female plants and cultured in the laboratory also showed two patterns of reproduction: procarpic papillae that only produced cystocarps in the presence of male plants with spermatid, or cystocarpic papillae that formed and released carpospores in the absence of male plants. The first pattern in each case above is evidence for a sexual life history and the second for an apomictic life history similar to that for G. papillata (C. Agardh) J. Agardh. The resorcinol lest for k-carrageenan was negative for Petrocelis-like plants and positive for foliose plants providing addition evidence that the former are haploid and the latter diploid as is characteristic for the Gigartinaceae. Crossing experiments between sexual male and female isolates of G. agardhii from several locations indicated that free interbreeding occurs. All crosses between G. agardhii and Gigartina-phase gametophytes cultured from tetraspores of Petrocelis middendorffii (Ruprecht) Kjellman were negative demonstrating that G. agardhii is reproductively isolated from G. papillata/P. middendorffii and represents a distinct species. The tetrasporophytic phase of G. agardhii in nature is still not known. The significance of reproductive isolation in Gigartina subgenus Mastocarpus is discussed. On the bosis of nomenclatural priority G. agardhii Setchell & Gardner 1933 is placed in synonymy under G. jardinii J . Agardh 1876.     

The genus Racomitrium (Grimmiaceae) in Brazil, with the first report of R. subsecundum in South America

Four species of the moss genusRacomitrium Brid. are reported from Brazil:R. subsecundum (Harv.) Wils,R. didymum (Mont.) Lorentz,R. crispipilum (Taylor) A. Jaeger, andR. visnadiae W. R. Buck.Racomitrium subsecundum is reported for the first time from South America in Brazil and Colombia. The species is fully described and illustrated.Racomitrium didymum is recorded for the first time from Brazil; the specimens previously assigned toR. crispulum (Hook.f. & Wils.) Hook.f. & Wils. represent this species.Racomitrium cucullatifolium Hampe andR. crispulum (Hook. f. & Wils.) Hook.f. & Wils. are excluded from the Brazilian bryophyte flora. All Brazilian species ofRacomitrium are briefly assessed taxonomically and bryogeographically and illustrated, and a key to their determination is given. A lectotype is selected forGrimmia didyma Mont.     

Carrageenans from Cystocarpic and Sterile Plants of Chondrus Pinnulatus (Gigartinaceae, Rhodophyta) Collected from the Russian Pacific Coast

The chemical structure, gel properties and biological activity of the carrageenans isolated from cystocarpic and sterile plants of Chondrus pinnulatus were investigated. The total carrageenan content of the sterile plant was observed to be twice that of the cystocarpic plants. According to data obtained by ¹³C-NMR and FT IR, the gelling polysaccharides from cystocarpic and sterile plants of C. pinulatus have similar structures and were identified as κ/ι-carrageenans. The difference between these polysaccharides was in the ratio of the κ- and ι-segments, with a predominant content of κ-segments in cystocarpic plants (80%). Moreover, KCl-insoluble fractions possibly contain hetero-disperse μ/ν precursor: amounts of this in the polysaccharide from sterile plants were more than that extracted from the cystocarpic plants. The KCl-soluble fractions (non gelling) were λ-carrageenans with another carrageenan type that had a low amount of 3,6-anhydrogalactose. Carrageenans from cystocarpic stages showed good gelling properties, whereas those from sterile plants formed a very weak gel. Structural differences and molecular weight of carrageenans obviously determine the biological activity of the polysaccharides. Non gelling-carrageenans from both types of ιt C. pinnulatus plants showed high macrophage-phosphatase activity and κ/ι-carrageenan from cystocarpic plant possessed a potent anti-coagulant activity, which was extremely strong in a low concentration of 100 μg ml⁻¹.     

Nuclear crystals, lampbrush-chromosome-like structures, and perinuclear cytoskeletal elements associated with nuclear fragmentation in characean internodal cells

Summary This article gives a survey of nucleus-associated structures and inclusions in a diverse range of characean algae includingChara braunii Gm.,Chara corallina Klein ex Willd., em. R.D.W.,Nitella cristata A.Br., em. R.D.W.,Nitella flexilis (L.) Ag.,Nitella furcata (Roxb. ex Bruz.) Ag. em. R.D.W.,Nitella hyalina (DC.) Ag.,Nitella pseudoflabellata A.Br., em. R.D.W.,Nitella pseudoflabellata var.imperialis T.F.A.,Nitella translucens var.axillaris (A.Br.) R.D.W. andNitellopsis obtusa (Desv. in Lois.) J.Gr. Lampbrushchromosome-like structures were found in nuclei ofNitella flexilis andNitellopsis obtusa and seem to be involved in the distribution of genetic material during nuclear fragmentation. Intranuclear tubular crystals of unknown protein composition were present in all species, especially in young, elongating cells, and could be important for establishing the main axis of the nuclei. Spindle-shaped protein crystals that originate in the nucleus and are released into the cytoplasm upon nuclear degeneration were observed in branchlet internodal cells of one population ofNitella flexilis. Perinuclear microtubules were present in all species, but perinuclear actin fibrils were hitherto only found in mostNitella species and inNitellopsis obtusa. None of these nucleus-associated structures seems to be responsible for the formation of constrictions leading to nuclear fragmentation. These constrictions were perpendicular to the main axis of the nucleus and symmetrical in theNitella species but asymmetric inC. braunii, C. corallina, and inNitellopsis obtusa. Statistical analysis of nuclear size, number and constriction sites indicate that fragmentation is a nonsynchronous process independent of the light-dark cycle.Abbreviations CLSM confocal laser scanning microscopy - DAPI 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole - DIC Nomarski differential interference contrast - LCLS lampbrush chromosome-like structure(s) Dedicated to Professor Walter Gustav Url on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Seasonal growth and reproduction of Gelidiopsis variabilis (Greville) Schmitz

Seasonal variations in growth, fruiting, and sporulation of Gelidiopsis variabilis (Greville) Schmitz occurring on the Visakhapatnam coast have been described. Only tetrasporophytes and vegetative plants were found in the populations analysed for 2$\text{1}\text{2}$ yr and seasonal changes were more marked in the abundance of tetrasporophytes, formation of stichidia, and in the spore output, than in the stature of the plants. Maximum development of the plants was observed each year between October and January–February and peak reproductive activity from July to September.     

Temperature responses of macroalgae from the tropical island Hainan (P.R. China)

The temperature tolerances of 24 tropical macroalgae collected on Hainan Island (P.R. China) were investigated. For some isolates, growth response curves were also determined. The upper survival temperatures (USTs, 32–37°C) of these tropical west Pacific strains are similiar to those of tropical Atlantic species. With regard to their lower survival temperatures (LSTs) the species investigated show high variations: 12 species have LSTs between 16 and 7°C (Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) Lamx. var esperi J, Ag., Centroceras clavulatum (C. Ag) Mont., Falkenbergia hillebrandii (Bornet) Falkenberg, Gelidiopsis intricata (Ag.) Vickers, Halymenia maculata J. Ag., Hypnea cenomyce J. Ag., Hypnea spinella (C. Ag.) Kütz., Gracilaria changii (Xia et Abott) Abott, Chang et Xia, Dictyopteris repens (Okam.) Boerg., Laurencia cartilaginea Yamada, Gelidium pusillum (Stackh.) Le Jol., Laurencia sp.). Their LSTs and temperature requirements for growth (range: 15–30 °C, optimum: 25–30 °C) are mostly similar to those of tropical west Atlantic and amphi-Atlantic (sub)tropical macroalgae as well as to tropical isolates of species with an Atlantic tropical to warm-temperate distribution. The remaining 12 species have LSTs between 6 and 1 °C (Ulva conglobata Kjellm., Ulva fasciata Delile, Padina boryana Thivy, Dictyosphaeria cavernosa (Forssk.) Boerg., Boodlea composita (Harv.) Brand, Boergesenia forbesii (Harv.) Feldm., Cladophora vagabunda (L.) van den Hoek, Enteromorpha compressa (L,) Grev., Enteromorpha intestinalis (L.) Link, Gracilaria tenuistipitata Chang et Xia, var liui Chang et Xia, Monostroma nitidum Wittr. and Valonia aegagropila C. Ag.). Their LSTs are mostly similar to those of Atlantic macroalgae with a tropical to (warm-) temperate distribution. The results are discussed with respect to the factors which may have triggered the development of the temperature requirements of the various species.     

INDUCTION OF APOMIXIS BY OUTCROSSING BETWEEN GENETICALLY DIVERGENT ENTITIES OF CALOGLOSSA LEPRIEURII (CERAMIALES,RHODOPHYTA) AND EVIDENCE OF HYBRID APOMICTS IN NATURE1

Our previous study revealed that apomixis, recycling of tetrasporophytes, can be generated through outcrossing between genetically divergent entities of Caloglossa monosticha M. Kamiya, though such apomicts have never been found in nature. In the case of C. leprieurii (Mont.) G. Martens, the most widespread species in this genus, many apomictic strains have been isolated worldwide, but it is unknown whether these apomicts evolved through an outcrossing process similar to that in C. monosticha. In this study, heterogeneity of the apomicts and their sexual relatives as well as their evolutionary relationships was examined using the nuclear‐encoded actin gene and plastid‐encoded RUBISCO spacer region. Thirteen out of 18 apomictic strains were heterogeneous and contained divergent actin alleles, whereas only two out of 23 sexual strains were heterogeneous. The five homogeneous apomicts were genetically identical, or quite similar, to the sexual strains isolated from adjacent sites. Furthermore, three of the five homogeneous apomicts frequently produced tetraspores that grew into gametophytes, while all the heterogeneous apomicts never generated gametophytes. Apomictic strains from Florida were allotriploid, and each of the three actin sequences was closely related to those of sexual strains from Florida, Peru, and Mexico/Guatemala. In crossing tests, obligate apomixis was generated through the outcrossing between the male from Madagascar and the female from the northwestern Atlantic. These results suggest that outcrossing between genetically divergent sexual entities is one factor that induces apomixis in C. leprieurii.     

Seasonal occurrence and abundance of caridean shrimp larvae at Helgoland,German Bight

Plankton samples were collected from January 1985 to January 1986 three times per week at Helgoland to study seasonal occurrence and abundance of caridean shrimp larvae. A total of eleven species were obtained. Ninety-one % of all larvae collected during the sample period belonged toCrangon crangon L. andCrangon allmanni Kinahan, 6% toPhilocheras trispinosus Hailstone and 3% to the remaining eight species. Collections were generally dominated byC. crangon larvae. However,C. allmanni larvae were most abundant in June coinciding with hatching activities of the population near Helgoland.C. allmanni was observed to have the highest density of all species with approximately 8 larvae per m³. Larvae ofEualus occultus (Lebour),Eualus pusiolus (Kroyer),Hippolyte varians Leach andAthanas nitescens Leach were most likely released by populations inhabiting the rocky intertidal zone around Helgoland. The presence ofProcessa modica Williamson & Rochanaburanon andProcessa nouveli holthuisi Al-Adhub & Williamson in the German Bight was verified by observations of a series of different developmental stages. Larvae of the rare speciesCaridion steveni Lebour were also recorded. The observed shrimp species were placed into three different groups with respect to their seasonal occurrence. Possible advantages of the timing of larval dispersal relative to predation and food availability are given. The results on seasonal occurrence and relative abundance are discussed in relation to environmental factors (temperature, salinity) as well as to the geographical distribution of the species.     

COMPARATIVE PHOTOSYNTHESIS OF TWO SPECIES OF INTERTIDAL EPIPHYTIC MACROALGAE ON MANGROVE ROOTS DURING SUBMERSION AND EMERSION

Photosynthesis and dark respiration rates were measured in water and in air, and the capacity to recover photosynthetic activity from emersion stress was examined for two species of intertidal, epiphytic macroalgae—Bostrychia calliptera (Montagne) Montagne and Caloglossa leprieurii (Montagne) J. Agardh—collected on prop roots of the red mangrove Rhizophora mangle L. in Buenaventura Bay, Pacific coast of Colombia. In both species, net photosynthetic rates were significantly higher under submersed conditions. Maximum photosynthetic rates (P_max) in water and in air were highest in B. calliptera, 126 ± 4 versus 52 ± 9 μmol O₂·mg chl a⁻¹·h⁻¹, respectively. In C. leprieurii, P_max of submerged plants in water and in air were 98 ± 9 versus 30 ± 11 μmol O₂·mg chla⁻¹·h⁻¹. The photoinhibition model of Platt et al. (1980) was used to fit the experimental data in both water and air for both species. Photoinhibition occurred at irradiance as low as 200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹. The photosynthesis–light response curves demonstrated an adaptation to shaded habitats for both species, as light compensation points in water and air for both species were below 17 ± 5 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹. The rate of dehydration was significantly lower in thalli of B. calliptera compared to C. leprieurii. An increase of photosynthetic activity in B. calliptera was evident between 5% and 15% water loss, but rates decreased thereafter with declining water content. In C. leprieurii, desiccation negatively influenced photosynthetic rates that significantly decreased linearly with declining water content. In B. calliptera, net photosynthesis reached zero only at a water content between 29% and 35%, whereas in C. leprieurii no net photosynthesis occurred in plants containing less than about 50% of their relative water content. Resubmerged plants ofB. calliptera exhibited 100% photosynthetic recovery after 45 min, whereas C. leprieurii recovered 100% at about 120 min. On the basis of the comparison of rates of light-saturated net photosynthesis for B. calliptera in air versus in water, aerial photosynthetic activity ranged from 35% to 42% of that in water, whereas the emersed photosynthetic capacity of C. leprieurii ranged from 24% to 29% of that in water. Using tidal predictions and the emersed photosynthetic rates, a carbon balance model was constructed for both species over a single daylight period. The calculations indicated that emersed photosynthesis increased average daily carbon production of B. calliptera by 17% and C. leprieuri by 12%. The physiological responses to desiccation stress and the photosynthetic recovery capacities between species correlated with, and may determine, their vertical distribution in the mangrove habitats of Buenaventura Bay.