New records of Malaysian marine algae

Checklists of the marine algae of Malaysia have been published. The last checklist included the marine algae of Singapore. The checklist recorded 212 taxa for the region. This paper lists an additional 7 taxa of Chlorophyta, 18 taxa of Rhodophyta and 5 taxa of Phaeophyta, which had been left out of the last checklist. These include marine algae from Pulau Pinang, Pulau Redang and Pulau Sibu. In addition, new records of Cyanophyta (2 species), Chlorophyta (4 species), Rhodophyta (10 species) and Phaeophyta (3 species) are reported.     

The horizontal distribution of the benthic algal flora in the Patos Lagoon estuary, Brazil, in relation to salinity, substratum and wave exposure

Monthly collections of benthic algae were made during 1 yr at 11 stations between the mouth and the salt water limits of the Patos Lagoon estuary, Brazil. A total of 94 taxa of algae were recorded, including 40 Cyanophyta, 26 Chlorophyta, 1 Xanthophyta, 3 Phaeophyta, and 24 Rhodophyta. Although the number of Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta decreased towards lower salinities, due to local salinity patterns, species substitution among the Chlorophyta and increase of Cyanophyta in the estuary, the species number remained approximately the same between the mouth and the upper saline reaches of this estuary.

The distributional limits of 64 species in the flora resulted in the formation of three algal groups of negative correlation. The horizontal distribution of each group of species was related to type of substratum, wave exposure or salinity, or a combination of these factors. The individual evaluation of the factors demonstrated that, apart from salinity, substratum and degree of exposure are of primary importance for the horizontal distribution of a large part of the algal flora in this estuary.     

Nuclear DNA content estimates in multicellular green, red and brown algae: phylogenetic considerations

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Multicellular eukaryotic algae are phylogenetically disparate. Nuclear DNA content estimates have been published for fewer than 1 % of the described species of Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta. The present investigation aims to summarize the state of our knowledge and to add substantially to our database of C-values for theses algae. METHODS: The DNA-localizing fluorochrome DAPI (4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) and RBC (chicken erythrocyte) standard were used to estimate 2C values with static microspectrophotometry. KEY RESULTS: 2C DNA contents for 85 species of Chlorophyta range from 0.2-6.1 pg, excluding the highly polyploidy Charales and Desmidiales with DNA contents of up to 39.2 and 20.7 pg, respectively. 2C DNA contents for 111 species of Rhodophyta range from 0.1-2.8 pg, and for 44 species of Phaeophyta range from 0.2-1.8 pg. CONCLUSIONS: New availability of consensus higher-level molecular phylogenies provides a framework for viewing C-value data in a phylogenetic context. Both DNA content ranges and mean values are greater in taxa considered to be basal. It is proposed that the basal, ancestral genome in each algal group was quite small. Both mechanistic and ecological processes are discussed that could have produced the observed C-value ranges.     

Epiphytic dinoflagellates associated with ciguatera in the northwestern coast of Cuba

The spatial and temporal abundance of epiphytic dinoflagellates associated with ciguatera was studied over two annual cycles (March 1999 to March 2000 and March 2001 to March 2002) in the northwestern coast of Cuba. From 14 species of macroalgae (Phaeophyta, Chlorophyta, and Rhodophyta), 1340 samples were obtained identifying seven species as potentially noxious; five of them are new reports for Cuba's phytobenthos: Prorocentrum belizeanum Faust, P. concavum Fukuyo, P. mexicanum Tafall, Coolia monotis Meunier, and Ostreopsis lenticularis Fukuyo. ANOVA/MANOVA analysis showed significant spatial differences: lower cell abundance near the shoreline adjacent to a river inlet and higher cell abundance in the deepest area. Prorocentrum lima (Ehrenberg) Dodge 1975 was found mainly on Phaeophyta followed by Chlorophyta and Rhodophyta. Gambierdiscus toxicus was found mainly on Phaeophyta followed by Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta. All the species reported in the study area were mainly on Padina spp. (Phaeophyta). Acanthophora spicifera (Rhodophyta) did not host dinoflagellate species. Environmental conditions in summer (higher temperature, more nutrients, greater water transparency, and low wind intensity) are suitable for macroalgae development, which serves as a substrate for potentially harmful dinoflagellates, and possibly the main vector for spreading ciguatera along the coast of Cuba.     

Assessment of the seaweed-seagrass resource of Mararison Island,Culasi, Antique,Philippines*

A bimonthly sampling of the seaweed-seagrass resource of Mararison Island, Culasi Antique, was undertaken over 1 year to assess the species composition, similarity of taxa, and biomass (dry weight [d.w.] g m^?2) at seven localities. A total of 45 species was identified: 17 Chlorophyta, seven Phaeophyta, 15 Rhodophyta, one Cyanophyta and five seagrasses. Except for some Rhodophyta and Syringodium isoetifolium (Ascherson) Dandy, the occurrence of species between stations was not significantly different; however, differences in biomass between sampling time (month) were significant. Identical taxa between stations were determined. The highest (40) and lowest (22) number of species collected were in May and July, respectively. The species were most abundant from March to May (dry months) and sparse from July to September (wet months). The most abundant species were: Sargassum polycystum C. Agardh (399 g m^?2) (Phaeophyta), Dictyosphaeria cav-ernosa (Forsskat) Borgesen (43.1 g m^?2) (Chlorophyta), Acanthopeitis japonica Okamura (97.2 gm^?2) (Rhodophyta) and Thalassia hemprichii (Ehrenberg) Ascherson (1370 g m^?2; seagrass). The Phaeophyta were abundant in March, and the Chlorophyta and Rhodophyta in May, while the seagrasses were abundant in September. Some species occurred only during the dry months: two Phaeophyta, nine Chlorophyta and five Rhodophyta. All the seagrasses were found year-round. Almost all of the seaweeds (39/45) were found associated with seagrass. The number of seaweeds in Mararison Island was higher than for seagrasses but the total biomass of the latter was much higher than the combined biomass of the seaweeds.     

Characterization of tidal pool algae in the Mexican Tropical Pacific coast

Tidal pools in the Mexican Tropical Pacific coast have received relatively little attention in spite of their considerable richness in species and wide distribution in the region.This paper presents the first characterization of the algal flora of this region. It analyzes the number and composition of species of the tidal pools of six localities with regard to geographical distribution and its seasonal variations as well as tidal level. 97 species are reported, 25 Chlorophyta, 23 Phaeophyta, 34 Rhodophyta and 15 Cyanophyta.Of that total of species, 63% were found in one locality, 23.7% in two, 11.3% in three and 1 % in 4 or 5 localities. Not one species was common to all of the pools.The highest number of species was found on pools of the middle and low intertidal where the Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta were the most abundant algae. Cyanophyta was more common in the supralittoral and high intertidal pools.     

Distribution of carbonic anhydrase in British marine macroalgae

Summary Thirty-four species of marine macroalgae from around St. Andrews, Scotland, have been assayed for their external activity and thirty-three species for their total activity of carbonic anhydrase. Activity was detected in all the Rhodophyta tested apart from Chondrus crispus, but was absent in Codium fragile, Enteromorpha sp. and Monostroma fuscum (Chlorophyta), and Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata, L. saccharina and L. hyperborea (Phaeophyta). Total activity of carbonic anhydrase per unit fresh weight tended to be higher in the Rhodophyta than in the Chlorophyta or Phaeophyta. External activity was present in two of the six Chlorophyta, four of the twelve Phaeophyta and four of the sixteen Rhodophyta tested. On average, when present, external carbonic anhydrase activity represented 2.7% of the total activity. A relationship was found between total carbonic anhydrase activity and habitat. Species from the high intertidal and the low-light subtidal habitats had significantly higher activity than species from the mid and low intertidal, rockpools, or high-light region of the subtidal. External carbonic anhydrase activity did not vary significantly with habitat. There appeared to be no strong relationship between carbonic anhydrase activity and the ability of a species to use HCO _- ³ in photosynthesis under water.     

Changes in the species composition of benthic macroalgal communities of the upper subtidal zone on a coral reef in Sanya Bay (Hainan Island, China) during 2009–2012

Investigations of macroalgae were carried out on a coral reef at the Luhuitou Peninsula in Sanya Bay (Hainan Island, China) in the upper subtidal zone at a depth of 0.5 to 4 m during the dry season (in April 2009 and 2012). In total, 130 species, varieties, and forms of marine macroalgae were found: 71 (54%) Rhodophyta, 33 (25%) Chlorophyta, and 26 (21%) Phaeophyceae. In terms of the number of species and the floristic composition of algae in the communities, the reef benthic flora in the subtidal zone of Sanya Bay, which is polluted by municipal waste waters and aquaculture wastes, was close to the flora of Indo-Pacific coral reefs situated in areas with low pollution. In 2009 and 2012, the algal turf communities differed both in the algal species diversity and in the composition of dominant species. These differences might be due to an annual periodicity of changes in vegetation: algal turf patches are detached from the hard substrate and a new algal community is formed at this location.     

SEAWEED ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY IN HIGH ENERGY AND LOW ENERGY AREAS AT PORT ARANSAS,TEXAS JETTIES

Agan, J. C. & Lehman, R. L. Department of Physical and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78412 USA Benthic algal sampling from high and low energy zones at a selected site on the south jetty at Port Aransas, Texas was completed between April 1999 and February 2000. Species composition and seasonal periodicity in relation to temperature and salinity fluctuations were determined. Dominant plants throughout the year included Bryocladia cuspidata, Bryocladia thyrsigera, Gelidium pusillum, Centroceras clavulatum, Ulva fasciata, and Padina gymnospora. The Rhodophyta dominated species coverage, along with biomass accumulation, although Chlorophyta species accrued the greatest biomass on the high energy side in April and June sampling. Chlorophyta are important to benthic coverage and biomass in the shallowest of waters, despite being fewer in species richness. Phaeophyta species including Petalonia fascia, Hincksia mitchelliae, and Ectocarpus siliculosus were found only during the cooler months. Padina gymnospora was the one exception as it was collected year-round. Results indicate that a greater Rhodophyta abundance was found on the channel side (low energy), where as, the surf side (high energy) contained a greater Chlorophyta abundance. Phaeophyta abundance for both high and low energy sites were comparable possibly due to the greater depth of water in which they are located. Little variance occurred in average biomass accumulation throughout the year. Highest biomass was in August (216.613g dry weight) with lowest occurring in April (107.4205g dry weight).     

SEAWEED ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY IN HIGH ENERGY AND LOW ENERGY AREAS AT PORT ARANSAS,TEXAS JETTIES

Agan, J. C. & Lehman, R. L. Department of Physical and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78412 USA Benthic algal sampling from high and low energy zones at a selected site on the south jetty at Port Aransas, Texas was completed between April 1999 and February 2000. Species composition and seasonal periodicity in relation to temperature and salinity fluctuations were determined. Dominant plants throughout the year included Bryocladia cuspidata, Bryocladia thyrsigera, Gelidium pusillum, Centroceras clavulatum, Ulva fasciata, and Padina gymnospora. The Rhodophyta dominated species coverage, along with biomass accumulation, although Chlorophyta species accrued the greatest biomass on the high energy side in April and June sampling. Chlorophyta are important to benthic coverage and biomass in the shallowest of waters, despite being fewer in species richness. Phaeophyta species including Petalonia fascia, Hincksia mitchelliae, and Ectocarpus siliculosus were found only during the cooler months. Padina gymnospora was the one exception as it was collected year-round. Results indicate that a greater Rhodophyta abundance was found on the channel side (low energy), where as, the surf side (high energy) contained a greater Chlorophyta abundance. Phaeophyta abundance for both high and low energy sites were comparable possibly due to the greater depth of water in which they are located. Little variance occurred in average biomass accumulation throughout the year. Highest biomass was in August (216.613g dry weight) with lowest occurring in April (107.4205g dry weight).     

Screening and preliminary characterization of hemagglutinins in Vietnamese marine algae

Extracts from 44 species of Vietnamese marine algae, including 15 Chlorophyta, 18 Rhodophyta and 11 Phaeophyta species, were examined for hemagglutination activity with a variety of different animal and human erythrocytes that were untreated or treated with enzymes. Almost all extracts showed activity toward at least one type of erythrocytes, although those from three Chlorophyta and two Rhodophyta species showed no hemagglutination with any type of erythrocytes examined. Strong activity was detected in extracts from two Chlorophyta (Anadyomene plicata and Avrainvillea erecta) and four Rhodophyta species (Gracilaria eucheumatoides, Gracilaria salicornia, Kappaphycus alvarezii, and Kappaphycus striatum) with enzyme-treated rabbit and sheep erythrocytes. The hemagglutinins of seven Chlorophyta and eight Rhodophyta species were examined for sugar-binding specificity, pH- and temperature-stability, and divalent cation-independency of hemagglutination using ammonium sulfate-precipitates prepared from their extracts. In a hemagglutination-inhibition test with various monosaccharides and glycoproteins, none of the hemagglutinins had affinity for monosaccharides, except the Codium arabicum and Gracilaria euchematoides hemagglutinins, whose activities were inhibited by both N-acetyl-d-galactosamine and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine. On the other hand, all of the hemagglutinins activities were inhibited by some glycoproteins. The inhibition profiles with glycoproteins were different depending on hemagglutinin species, and suggest the presence of lectins specific for high mannose N-glycans, complex N-glycans, or O-glycans. The activities of these algal hemagglutinins were stable over a wide range of pH and temperature, and independent of the presence of divalent cations. These results indicate that Vietnamese marine algae are a good source of novel and useful lectins.     

浙江马鞍列岛海域潮间带底栖海藻分布特征

2007年3—7月对浙江马鞍列岛海域潮间带底栖海藻进行了调查,初步查明该海域潮间带底栖海藻的组成、分布情况和温度属性,并利用相似性指数（S_c）和相对重要性指数（IRI_c）分析了调查海域潮间带底栖海藻的优势种组成.结果表明：调查海域采集到的31种海藻隶属于3门24属,其中绿藻门5属7种,褐藻门5属8种,红藻门14属16种;在波浪和潮汐作用下,潮间带出现局限分布种和选择性分布种,孔石莼、鼠尾藻等在调查岛礁区域广有分布;红藻门种类在调查海域的出现频率为61.1%,为优势门类,绿藻门种类在该海域的总体水平分布基本呈均匀状态;81%的调查种类分布在低潮带,其中包括一些中潮带延伸种类,中、低潮带的海藻组成相似性值为0.47,并且中、低潮带的生境趋同效果大于高、中潮带.马鞍列岛潮间带底栖海藻具有明显的垂直分带现象,温水性种类占绝对优势,优势种多为暖温性种.该海域底栖海藻属于暖温带-亚热带过渡型海洋植物区系.     

When is a family not a family?

Recent molecular investigations of the small-subunit rRNA gene sequences have indicated that established taxonomic hierarchies can be clearly at odds with the degree of evolutionary divergence (as inferred from molecular divergence) between supposedly equivalent taxa at every rank (i.e., species through class), both within and across biological divisions. This is particularly true between the Rhodophyta and the Phaeophyta, whose higher-order taxa appear under- and overinflated, respectively. We present two plausible alternatives that algal taxonomists might adopt in order to invoke discussion on their relative merits.     

Enriching marine macroalgae with eicosatetraenoic (arachidonic) and eicosapentaenoic acids by chilling

Summary Twelve macroalgae belonging to the Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta were collected from the Arabian Gulf. Field samples and samples that were first incubated at 5° C and 24° C in the light for 1 week were analysed for lipids and fatty acids. The lipid contents varied according to the macroalga and, within the Chlorophyta and Phaeophyta, some representatives accumulated more lipids at 5° C and others at 24° C. All samples of algae had similar lipid composition with only quantitative differences. The temperature did not have a common effect on the lipid composition of representative algae, although changes in the relative concentration of specific classes were recorded. The Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta were as a rule richer than the Chlorophyta in eicosatetranoic (20:4) and eicosapentaenoic (20:5) but poorer in linolenic (18:3) acids. In most of the algae, incubation at 5° C was associated with lowering the proportion of palmitic acid (16:0) in the total lipids, and, but only in the Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta, increasing the concentration of 20:4 and 20:5. These polyunsaturated fatty acids occurred in high levels in monogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerols (DGDG) of the Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta but not the Chlorophyta, the MGDG and DGDG of which were rich in 18:3 and hexadecatrienoic acid (16:3). Offprint requests to: R. H. Al-Hasan     

Isolation and structure determination of algicidal compounds from Ulva fasciata

Thirty-seven species of seaweeds including 10 Chlorophyta, 13 Phaeophyta, and 14 Rhodophyta collected from the coast of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, were screened for algicidal activity against the red-tide phytoplankton Heterosigma akashiwo. The green alga Ulva fasciata (Ulvaceae, Chlorophyta) showed the strongest algicidal activity among the seaweeds tested. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanol extract of U. fasciata led to isolation of three algicidal compounds whose structures were determined to be hexadeca-4,7,10,13-tetraenoic acid (HDTA), octadeca-6,9,12,15-tetraenoic acid (ODTA), and alpha-linolenic acid on the basis of spectroscopic information. These polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) showed potent algicidal activity against H. akashiwo (LC(50) 1.35 microg/ml, 0.83 microg/ml, and 1.13 microg/ml for HDTA, ODTA, and alpha-linolenic acid, respectively), and the result demonstrated the potential of these PUFAs for practical harmful algal bloom control.     

Affinities of the marine flora of the Revillagigedo Islands,Mexico

The benthic algal flora reported for the Revillagigedo Islands comprises 205 specific infraspecific taxa: 42 Chlorophyta, 29 Phaeophyta and 134 Rhodophyta. This insular flora shares 131 taxa (54%) with other regions of the Mexican Pacific and 74 (36%) are restricted apparently to the islands. One hundred three taxa (50%) are shared with areas of the Mexican tropical Pacific, 69 (34%) with warm temperate Pacific Mexico and 66 (32%) with La Paz, the transitional zone between tropical and warm temperate Pacific Mexico. Considering more general regions, the Revillagigedo Islands flora includes apparently restricted distribution (34 spp., 16.6%), exclusively tropical (51 spp., 25%) and widely distributed eastern Pacific (33 spp., 16%) taxa. Even though we consider that the inventory of the Revillagigedo Islands and to a lesser degree the eastern tropical Pacific flora is still incomplete and in need of further taxonomic study, the floristic comparison shows a greater affinity of the Revillagigedo Islands flora with the Mexican tropical Pacific than with any other part of Mexico.     

Differential survival of macroalgae to digestion by intertidal herbivore molluscs

This study evaluates the capacity of algal propagules to survive digestion by seven intertidal herbivore molluscs. Thirty individuals of Littorina peruviana, 36 of Siphonaria lessoni, 35 of Collisella ceciliana, and 25 each of C. zebrina, Chiton granosus, Fissurella crassa and F. limbata were collected at different dates between October, 1983 and April, 1984. About half of the individuals of each species were examined for gut contents and the other half was used to provide faecal pellets for culture. Diet of these grazers ranged from 8 macroalgal species in Collisella zebrina to 17 in Fissurella limbata. In total, macroalgal propagules of 56% of the 27 algal species found in these gut contents survive digestion. There was no positive correlation between diet and number of algal taxa growing in the respective faecal cultures. Survival through Littorina peruviana and Chiton granosus was low (20–30% of the algal species consumed) while it was high (75–83%) through the two species of Collisella. No significant correlation was found between frequency of algae in the gut contents and its frequency in the faecal cultures. Algal capacity to survive digestion was almost exclusively restricted to opportunistic species, especially in the Chlorophyta and Phaeophyta. It seems that survival of algal propagules through the digestive tract of generalist grazers is a rather random phenomenon.     

Lichen endozoochory by snails

Endozoochory plays a prominent role for the dispersal of seed plants. However, for most other plant taxa it is not known whether this mode of dispersal occurs at all. Among those other taxa, lichens as symbiotic associations of algae and fungi are peculiar as their successful dispersal requires movement of propagules that leaves the symbiosis functional. However, the potential for endozoochorous dispersal of lichen fragments has been completely overlooked. We fed sterile thalli of two foliose lichen species (Lobaria pulmonaria and Physcia adscendens) differing in habitat and air-quality requirements to nine snail species common in temperate Europe. We demonstrated morphologically that L. pulmonaria regenerated from 29.0% of all 379 fecal pellets, whereas P. adscendens regenerated from 40.9% of all 433 fecal pellets, showing that lichen fragments survived gut passage of all snail species. Moreover, molecular analysis of regenerated lichens confirmed the species identity for a subset of samples. Regeneration rates were higher for the generalist lichen species P. adscendens than for the specialist lichen species L. pulmonaria. Furthermore, lichen regeneration rates varied among snail species with higher rates after gut passage of heavier snail species. We suggest that gastropods generally grazing on lichen communities are important, but so far completely overlooked, as vectors for lichen dispersal. This opens new ecological perspectives and questions the traditional view of an entirely antagonistic relationship between gastropods and lichens.     

福建崇武沿海野生经济底栖海藻资源

福建崇武沿海有底栖海藻46种。其中野生经济底栖海藻34种(蓝藻门1种,绿藻门8种,红藻门17种,褐藻门8种)。文中对这些海藻的经济价值及资源开发利用进行阐述。     

Inhibition of Taq DNA polymerase by seaweed extracts from British Columbia, Canada and Korea

Fifty-nine species of marine macrophytes from the coasts of British Columbia, Canada and Korea have been screened for the presence of PCR inhibitors, namely inhibitors of Taq DNA polymerase. Eleven of the species displayed some inhibitor activity. At the concentration of 5 μg of methanol extract in 25μL reaction mixture of PCR containing 1.5 unit of Taq DNA polymerase, one (Ulva sp.) of 8 Chlorophyta, eight (Colpomenia bullosa, Ecklonia cava, Endarachne binghamiae, Fucus distichus, Hizikia fusiformis, Sargassum confusum, Sargassum sagamianum, and Sargassum thunbergii) of 28 Phaeophyta, and one (Symphyocladia latiuscula) of 34 Rhodophyta showed inhibition in PCR amplification. In the case of the water extract, two (Cladophora columbiana, Ulva sp.) Chlorophyta, seven (Endarachne binghamiae, Fucus distichus, Hizikia fusiformis, Sargassum confusum, Sargassum sagamianum, Sargassum horneri, Scytosiphon dotyi) Phaeophyta, no Rhodophyta and one (Phyllospadix scouleri) seagrass showed inhibition in PCR amplification. the methanol fraction of Sargassum confusum and the water fraction of Fucus gardneri (mid–intertidal) have been found to inhibit PCR at level as low as 0.5 μg in 25μL of PCR reaction mixture. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.