Physiological ecology studies on chilean gelidiales

In the exposed rocky habitats of Central Chile, four species of Gelidium occur along the vertical distance extending from the upper intertidal to the shallow subtidal. The present study was undertaken to characterize taxonomically confused species of Gelidium by differential responses to key ecological factors. In so doing, it was expected to better characterize ecophysiological differences between upper and lower intertidal species and to establish experimental bases on which to compare physiological responses of temperate and subtropical species of Gelidiaceae. The effects of temperature, water movement, salinity, photon flux density and photoperiod were tested on the growth rates of Gelidium pusillum (Stackh.) Le Jol., G. filicinum Bory, G. lingulatum (C. Agardh) J. Agardh and G. spinulosum Kützing prox. With the exception of salinity, specific differences are evident under the effects of all other factors tested.     

Circadian rhythms of chloroplast orientation and photosynthetic capacity in ulva

Ulva lactuca L. var. latissima (L.) Decandolle and var. rigida (C. Agardh) Le Jolis and U. mutabilis Foyn have a circadian rhythm of chloroplast orientation which results in large changes in the light-absorption properties of the thallus. During the day, the chloroplasts cover the outer face of the cells and absorbance is high. At night, the chloroplasts are along the side walls and absorbance is low. Enteromorpha linza (L.) J. Agardh, E. intestinalis (L.) Link, E. sp., and Monostroma grevillei (Thuret) Wittrock, members of the Ulvales, were not observed to have this rhythmic movement. Chloroplasts, when in the face position, could not be induced to move to the sides by high intensity light up to 80,000 lux. Unrelated to chloroplast position per se and light-absorption efficiency, there is a rhythm of photosynthetic capacity which peaks just before midday and which continues in constant darkness.     

Environmental Influences on Kelp Performance across the Reproductive Period: An Ecological Trade-Off between Gametophyte Survival and Growth?

Most kelps (order Laminariales) exhibit distinct temporal patterns in zoospore production, gametogenesis and gametophyte reproduction. Natural fluctuations in ambient environmental conditions influence the intrinsic characteristics of gametes, which define their ability to tolerate varied conditions. The aim of this work was to document seasonal patterns in reproduction and gametophyte growth and survival of Ecklonia radiata (C. Agardh) J. Agardh in south-western Australia. These results were related to patterns in local environmental conditions in an attempt to ascertain which factors explain variation throughout the season. E. radiata was fertile (produced zoospores) for three and a half months over summer and autumn. Every two weeks during this time, gametophytes were grown in a range of temperatures (16–22°C) in the laboratory. Zoospore densities were highly variable among sample periods; however, zoospores released early in the season produced gametophytes which had greater rates of growth and survival, and these rates declined towards the end of the reproductive season. Growth rates of gametophytes were positively related to day length, with the fastest growing recruits released when the days were longest. Gametophytes consistently survived best in the lowest temperature (16°C), yet exhibited optimum growth in higher culture temperatures (20–22°C). These results suggest that E. radiata releases gametes when conditions are favourable for growth, and E. radiata gametophytes are tolerant of the range of temperatures observed at this location. E. radiata releases the healthiest gametophytes when day length and temperature conditions are optimal for better germination, growth, and sporophyte production, perhaps as a mechanism to help compete against other species for space and other resources.     

Volatile halocarbon emissions by three tropical brown seaweeds under different irradiances

The emission rates of eight volatile halogenated compounds by three tropical brown seaweed species collected from Cape Rachado, west coast Peninsular Malaysia, under different irradiances have been determined. A purge-and-trap sample preparation system with a gas chromatograph and mass-selective detector was used to measure a suite of halocarbons released by Sargassum binderi Sonder ex J. Agardh, Padina australis Hauck, and Turbinaria conoides (J. Agardh) Kützing. All species are widely distributed in Peninsular Malaysia, with S. binderi a dominant seaweed species at our survey site. Release of few halocarbons was found to be influenced by irradiance. Correlations were also observed between emission of certain halocarbons with photosynthetic activity, especially bromo-and iodinated compounds (0.6?<?r?<0.9; p?<?0.01) suggesting that environmental factors such as light can affect the release of these volatile halogenated compounds by the seaweeds into the atmosphere. Compared with temperate and polar brown seaweeds, tropical species, such as T. conoides, may emit higher levels of bromoform, CHBr₃, and other halocarbons. It is therefore important to investigate the contribution of tropical seaweeds towards the local atmospheric composition of halocarbons.     

Taxonomy and distribution of Sargassum (Phaeophyceae) in the Gulf of Thailand

Ten species of Sargassum (Sargassaceae, Phaeophyceae) were found along the Gulf of Thailand. Morphological characteristics of Sargassum baccularia (Mertens) C.A. Agardh, S. binderi Sonder, S. cinereum J.G. Agardh, S.crassifolium J.G. Agardh, S. longifructum Tseng et Lu, S. oligocystum Montagne, S. polycystum C.A. Agardh, S. siliquosum J.G. Agardh, S. swartzii (Turner) C.A. Agardh and one unidentified species were examined and are described in detail. The most common species were S. polycystum distributed widely in almost all the study sites, S. crassifolium restricted to Prachuap Khirikhan Province, S. longifructum restricted to Chumphon Province, S. siliquosum restricted to Surat Thani Province and one unidentified species restricted to Songkhla Province. Three species (S. cinereum, S. longifructum and S. swartzii) are new records for the algal flora of Thailand. Five species (S. baccularia, S. cinereum, S. longifructum, S. polycystum and the unidentified species) belong to the section Zygocarpicae (J.G. Agardh) Setchell.     

Temperature acclimation in culturedEucheuma isiforme from Florida andE. alvarezii from the Philippines

Branch cultures ofEucheuma alvarezii Doty var.tambalang Doty, farmed in the Philippines, andE. isiforme (C. Agardh) J. Agardh var.denudatum Cheney, from the west coast of Florida, were gradually transferred through three temperature regimes over a 6-week period. Photosynthetic responses were measured under a series of irradiances (P-I curves) and temperatures to determine immediate responses of the plants before, during and after completion of the transfers. The Philippine variety did not show acclimation to 18 °C either after gradual transfer from the initial culture temperature of 25 °C or when abruptly transferred from 25 to 18 °C. The Florida variety did show acclimation to 25 °C when gradually transferred from 18 to 22 to 25 °C over the 6-week period, but not if abruptly transferred from 18 to 25 °C. The west coast variety ofE. isiforme from Florida shows a temperature acclimation ability that parallels the seasonal changes in water temperature of its habitat.     

MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF GRACILARIA SPECIES INFERRED FROM MOLECULAR MARKERS BELONGING TO THREE DIFFERENT GENOMES1

The nucleotide sequence data of molecular markers 18S rRNA, RUBISCO spacer, and cox2‐3 intergenic spacer were integrated to infer the phylogeny of Gracilaria species, collected from the western coast of India, reducing the possibility of misidentification and providing greater phylogenetic resolution. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using cox2‐3 and RUBISCO spacer sequences, exhibiting the same clustering but differing slightly from that of the rRNA‐based phylogenetic tree. The phylogeny inferred from the combined data set confers an analogous pattern of clustering, compared with those of trees constructed from individual data sets. The combined data set resulted in a phylogeny with better resolution, which supported the clade with higher consistency index, retention index, and bootstrap values. It was observed that Gracilaria foliifera (Forssk.) Børgesen is closer to G. corticata (J. Agardh) J. Agardh varieties, while G. salicornia (C. Agardh) E. Y. Dawson and G. fergusonii J. Agardh both originated from the same clade. The position of G. textorii (Suringar) De Toni faltered and toppled between G. salicornia and G. dura (C. Agardh) J. Agardh; however, G. gracilis (Stackh.) M. Steentoft, L. M. Irvine et W. F. Farnham was evidently distant from the rest of the species.     

Bromo-compounds of the red alga Lenormandia prolifera

Six bromo-compounds and one bromo-chloro-compound have been detected in Lenormandia prolifera (C.Ag.) J. Agardh (Amansieae; Rhodomelaceae). Hydrolysis of the red pigment floridorubin from the same alga yielded five bromo-, one bromo-chloro and one chloro-phenol. The two main phenols of floridorubin were 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxy benzyl alcohol (lanosol) and 3,5-dibromo-p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol.     

Pedobesia simple (Kützing) comb. nov. (Chlorophyta), a new name for P. lamourouxii and its first report from the Indian Ocean

The green alga Pedobesia lamourouxii (J. Agardh) Feldmann et al. (Bryopsidales) is reported from the northern Arabian Sea on the basis of collections from the Sultanate of Oman and Socotra Island (Yemen). Vegetative and sporangial plants as well as the ecology are described. These collections constitute the first record of this widely distributed species for the Indian Ocean. In the course of this study we discovered that Bryopsis simplex Kützing is an older taxonomic synonym, and thus we propose Pedobesia simplex (Kützing) comb. nov. as the correct name for this species. A specimen of Bryopsis simplex in the Leiden Herbarium (L) is designated as lectotype.     

New finds of charophytes in Iceland with an update on the distribution of the charophyte flora

Charophyte species new to the flora of Iceland are reported and an update on the distribution of the previously known species is given. Four species are new to Iceland; Chara aspera Willdenow, Chara contraria Braun ex Kützing, Tolypella canadensis Sawa and Tolypella glomerata (Desvaux) Leonhardi, while four species were previously known: Chara globularis Thuiller, Chara virgata Kützing, Nitella flexilis (L.) Agardh and Nitella opaca (Agardh ex Bruzelius) Agardh. The finding of the species new to Iceland add to the hitherto known worldwide distribution of those species, including a significant extension to the north.     

Carbonic Anhydrase in Marine Algae

An electrometric system for determination of carbonic anhydrase activity was constructed. Enzyme activity was assayed in homogenates of marine macroscopic Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, and Phaeophyta. Plants surveyed included Ulva expansa (Setchell) Setchell and Gardner, Codium fragile (Suringar) Hariot, Enteromorpha sp., Chaetomorpha torta (Farlow) McClatchie (Chlorophyta); Laurencia papillosa (Greville). Plocamium coccineum var. pacificum (Kylin) Dawson, Pterocladia capillacea (Gmelin) Bornet and Thuret. Gigartina armata J. Agardh (Rhodophyta); Eisenia arborea Areschoug and Macrocystis pyrifera (Linnaeus) C. A. Agardh (Phaeophyta). Activity was present in all algae; in the Phaeophyta this could be demonstrated only after dialysis. p-Chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid (10⁻⁴m) decreased activity in 1 species, Plocamium; this inhibition could be almost completely overcome with the addition of 10⁻³m dithiothreitol. In 2 green and 2 red algae assayed for sensitivity to acetazolamide (Diamox), inhibition was complete at 10⁻⁴m concentration of inhibitor. Dithiothreitol at a concentration of 10⁻³m did not enhance activity in any of the homogenates, and was not necessary for enzyme expression.     

The effect of salinity on growth rate and branch morphology in tank cultivated Grateloupia filicina (rhodophyta) in Hawaii

The red algal species Grateloupia filicina (Lamour.) C. Agardh was grown in tank culture at five salinities. There was no statistically significant difference between growth rate at the different salinities tested. However, reduced salinity initiated production of significantly greater numbers of branches in three branch orders in this species, thus demonstrating environmental control over branching due to salinity levels.     

VARIATIONS IN GROWTH,EROSION, PRODUCTIVITY,AND MORPHOLOGY OF ECKLONIA RADIATA (ALARIACEAE; LAMINARIALES) ALONG A FJORD IN SOUTHERN NEW ZEALAND1

Spatial and temporal patterns of growth, erosion, productivity, and morphology of the dominant habitat‐forming kelp Ecklonia radiata (C. Agardh) J. Agardh were studied bimonthly over 1.5 years in a southern New Zealand fjord characterized by strong gradients in light and wave exposure. Spatial differences in growth were observed with rates at two outer coast, high‐light, wave‐exposed sites reaching 0.42 and 0.45 cm · d^?1, respectively, compared to 0.27 cm · d^?1 at an inner, more homogeneous site. Sporophyte productivity was similar among sites, although population productivity was greater at the outer sites due to population density being 5‐fold greater than at the inner site. It was expected that the inner site would have no pronounced seasonal pattern in growth and productivity due to its homogeneity; however, all three sites displayed maximum rates in late winter/spring and minimal in autumn. Growth rates were 2‐fold greater during the first growth period than the following year. This discrepancy was not correlated to inorganic nitrogen (N) levels, which remained low year‐round (<4 μM), and is likely a result of an interaction between light and temperature, and the photosynthetic capability of E. radiata. Variable pigment content indicated photoacclimation at the inner site. Morphological differences were observed between sites, with E. radiata from the inner site having longer, wider, thinner blades and longer stipes. While E. radiata displayed spatial differences in growth, erosion, productivity, and morphology, populations displayed no temporal differences. These results highlight the need for greater understanding of the mechanisms influencing kelp growth and productivity in a unique marine environment.     

Assessing the current related heterogeneity and diversity patterns of benthic diatom communities in a turbid and a clear water river

Benthic diatoms were sampled in two rapids, in a turbid South-Finnish river (R. Keravanjoki, 22 FTU) and a clear water river in eastern Finland (R. Vaikkojoki, 4 FTU), to evaluate the diversity and spatial distribution patterns of diatom communities and especially their relationships to current velocity. In both rapids, epilithic diatoms were sampled in 15 sampling squares within three current velocity classes (10 cm s^–1, 40 cm s^–1 and 100 cm s^–1). The sampling squares had significantly different diatom communities in the three current velocity classes at both sampling sites, however, separation of the communities was much more pronounced in the clear water river (p < 0.001) than in the turbid river (p < 0.05). In the clear water river, communities at the highest velocity were highly different from those at the lower velocities. On the other hand, in the turbid river, communities were more similar at all velocities. Significant (p < 0.05) indicators for highest current velocity in the clear water R. Vaikkojoki were Fragilaria capucina var. gracilis Hustedt, F. capucina var. rumpens Lange-Bertalot and Meridion circulare Agardh. There were no significant indicators for high current velocity in the turbid R. Keravanjoki. Cocconeis placentula Ehr., Cymbella sinuata Gregory and Navicula lanceolata (Agardh) Ehr. were the three most abundant species in the highest velocity. This study showed that diatom community was highly specialized but low in diversity at the highest velocity in the clear water river. This pattern was not seen in the turbid R. Keravanjoki, indicating that the diatom community could withstand at the higher current velocities. In addition, the results show the importance of sampling in a variety of current regimes, particularly in clear water rivers, in order to properly assess the diatom diversity and community of a river section.     

Underwater microscopic sampling of a sublittoral kelp community

An encased incident-light microscope was constructed for use underwater to determine the relative abundances of micro-organisms living on natural sublittoral substrata in an Ecklonia radiata (C. Agardh) J. Agardh forest. By comparisons of data gathered using the microscope with data obtained from microscopic sampling of chips of natural substratum in the laboratory, the practicality and accuracy of the underwater microscope could be assessed. The repeatability of microscopic sampling in the field was determined by sampling certain areas of natural forest twice on the same day.A pilot survey of natural substrata in the kelp forest was done to determine patterns of spatial variability in the distribution of organisms sampled with the microscope. Analyses of variance and cost-benefit analyses of these data allowed calculation of optimal patch sizes and numbers of replicates to be used in future experiments. The importance of testing field methodologies and pilot studies was noted.     

SEASONAL CHANGES IN SIZE STRUCTURE OF SARGASSUM AND TURBINARIA POPULATIONS (PHAEOPHYCEAE) ON TROPICAL REEF FLATS IN THE SOUTHERN RED SEA1

Seasonal variation in density, thallus length and biomass, population size structure, and allometric length‐biomass relationships was investigated in populations of Sargassum ilicifolium (Turner) C. Agardh, Sargassum subrepandum (Forssk.) C. Agardh, and Turbinaria triquetra (J. Agardh) Kütz. (Phaeophyceae) on shallow reef flats in the southern Red Sea. Thallus length and biomass varied strongly with season, with the highest values occurring in the cooler months. Thallus densities showed no significant temporal variation. Log‐total biomass versus log‐density relationships were positive throughout the growth season without any decrease in the slope of the relationship. In two populations, biomass‐density combinations approached the interspecific biomass‐density line, but the massive annual shedding of modules occurred before self‐thinning would set in. Allometric length‐biomass relationships varied with season in all populations and were associated with seasonal module initiation, growth, and shedding. Evidence of a strong asymmetric competition was found in two high‐density populations. These populations showed a predominance of small thalli during peak development, asymmetrical Lorenz curves, increasing Gini coefficients, and increasing thallus length relative to biomass during the main growth phase. In two other less crowded populations, small thalli were absent during peak development, Lorenz curves were symmetrical, and Gini coefficients decreased during the main growth phase. In these populations, size equalization appears to be due to responses at the modular level rather than size‐dependent mortality. We conclude that changes in size structure in this highly seasonal environment are determined by module dynamics, modified by asymmetric competition in some populations, with a minor role of recruitment and no regulatory effect of self‐thinning.     

AN EXAMINATION OF PACHYMENIA AND AEODES (HALYMENIACEAE,RHODOPHYTA) IN NEW ZEALAND AND THE TRANSFER OF TWO SPECIES OF AEODES IN SOUTH AFRICA TO PACHYMENIA1

A phylogenetic study was conducted of species of Halymeniaceae from New Zealand presently placed in Aeodes or Pachymenia, based on maximum‐likelihood (ML), maximum‐parsimony (MP), and Bayesian analyses of rbcL and nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences. We used molecular and morphological data in combination with exhaustive sampling of herbarium collections to clarify the taxonomy and distributions of New Zealand members of Pachymenia and Aeodes. Our study confirms the presence of three erect species of Pachymenia on the New Zealand mainland, and we resurrect the name Pachymenia dichotoma J. Agardh for the widely distributed, southernmost species. Species of Aeodes from South Africa are shown to be closely related to Pachymenia carnosa (J. Agardh) J. Agardh, the type species of Pachymenia, and are accordingly transferred to Pachymenia.     

Chemical constituents of Pteris wallichiana J.Agardh (Pteridaceae)

Chemical investigation on the whole plants of Pteris wallichiana J. Agardh led to the isolation and identification of a new pterosin glycoside, ptemuloside A (1), along with other seventeen known compounds (2–18) (Fig. 1). The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by means of spectroscopic techniques, including HRESIMS, and 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compounds 2, 3, and 5–17 are first time reported from the title plant. The pterosins in P. wallichiana could serve as its chemotaxonomic markers.     

Spatial variation and effects of habitat on temperate reef fish assemblages in northeastern New Zealand

Reef-associated fishes can respond to changes in habitat structure and the nature of their response can change with different spatial scales of observation. A structured hierarchical mensurative sampling design was used to sample temperate reef fish assemblages in northeastern New Zealand at several spatial scales over 2 years. The three spatial scales examined were tens of meters (transects), hundreds to thousands of meters (sites) and hundreds of kilometers (locations). We tested the hypothesis that fish assemblages differed between kelp forest habitat (relatively dense stands of the kelp, Ecklonia radiata (C. Agardh) J. Agardh, median depth=13.5 m) and barrens habitat (rocky reef dominated by turfing and encrusting red algae and the grazing urchin, Evechinus chloroticus (Valenciennes), median depth=6.7 m). Recently developed multivariate techniques were used to test for and quantify multivariate variation at different spatial scales. There were significant effects of habitat on the spatial distribution of fish assemblages, characterised by greater abundances or frequencies of Parika scaber, Chromis dispilus, Trachurus novaezelandiae, Nemadactylus douglasii, Bodianus unimaculatus, Odax pullus and Pseudolabrus miles in kelp forest habitat, and greater abundances or frequencies of Notolabrus celidotus, Notolabrus fucicola, Girella tricuspidata, Coris sandageri, Chironemus marmoratus, Parma alboscapularis, Scorpis violaceus and Kyphosus sydneyanus in barrens habitat. Some of the more common species, including Upeneichthys lineatus, Scorpis lineolatus and Cheilodactylus spectabilis showed no strong consistent effects of these two differing habitats on their distributions. There was, however, a significant Habitat×Locations interaction: effects of habitat did not occur at all locations. Variability was highest at the scale of individual transects and variability from site to site and from location to location was comparable. Spatial variation was large compared to inter-annual variation, which was minimal, and spatial patterns were consistent in the 2 years examined. Further experiments, including manipulations, are required to understand what mechanisms and processes might be driving these patterns. This study, coupled with results from previous studies, suggests that there may be a dynamic inter-play between effects of habitat on fish and effects of fish on biogenic habitat, such as kelp forests.     

Sargassum boreale sp. nov. (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) from Hokkaido, Japan

A new species, Sargassum boreale Yoshida et Horiguchi is described. It belongs to the subgenus Bactrophycus section Teretia, with cylindrical receptacles and is distinct from Sargassum confusum C. Agardh, S. pallidum (Turner) C. Agardh and Sargassum microceratium (Turner) C. Agardh in having a rather elongated stem with smooth surface and distantly issuing main branches, with narrow leaves. The distinction between S. boreale and these species is also revealed by a difference in internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS‐2) sequences. In addition to the base substitutions, the existence of a large gap in S. boreale distinguishes this species from others. Sargassum boreale is distributed around Hokkaido and Saghalien to 50°N latitude. A key to the species of section Teretia is provided.