Organ-specific changes in the content of free and conjugated polyamines in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mesembryanthemum crystallinum</Emphasis> plants under salinity

The content of free and conjugated polyamines (PA) was studied in the leaves of secondary shoots and in roots of the facultative halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. under salinity. Plants were grown in water culture and at the age of 10 weeks were subjected to salinity stress by a single introduction of NaCl into nutrient medium to a final concentration of 400 mM. In 0, 6, 24, and 48 h, the content of free, HClO₄-soluble, and HClO₄-insoluble conjugates of PA were measured in leaves and roots. The levels of free and conjugated PA in the roots of control plants and plants subjected to salinity stress were higher than in the leaves. In response to salinity shock, the content of all forms of spermine (Spm), particularly its HClO₄-soluble conjugates, increased in roots and leaves. In contrast, the content of Spm precursors, putrescine (Put) and spermidine (Spd), as well as their HClO₄-soluble conjugates, decreased. Salinity treatment elevated the content of free cadaverine both in roots and leaves, whereas the content of its conjugated forms decreased, which might suggest transition of conjugated forms of cadaverine into the free form. The product of oxidative degradation of Spm and Spd, 1,3-diaminopropane (Dap), was absent in leaves, whereas the content of free and conjugated forms of this diamine in roots increased under salinity conditions. The obtained data indicate organ specificity for the content of free and conjugated forms of PA, as well as their active role in adaptation of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum to salinity shock.     

A SEASONAL COMPARISON OF CARBON,NITROGEN, AND PIGMENT CONTENT IN LAMINARIA SOLIDUNGULA AND L. SACCHARINA (PHAEOPHYTA) IN THE ALASKAN ARCTIC1

Laminaria solidungula and L. saccharina inhabit the Beaufort Sea in the Alaskan High Arctic. Laminaria solidungula is an Arctic endemic, whereas L. saccharina extends from north temperate Pacific and Atlantic waters to the Arctic. Previous studies have shown that the two species have different seasonal timing of growth, but little comparative physiological information exists. As a first step in characterizing these two species from a mixed Arctic population, we measured variations in carbon, nitrogen, and photosynthetic pigment content in blade tissue from plants collected under the fast ice in April and during the open water Period in late July, Both species exhibited seasonal differences in many measured variables; seasonal differences in L. solidungula were most pronounced in growing basal blades. For example, the molar CIN ratio of basal blades averaged 11 in April and 21 in July for L. solidungula and 11.5 in April and 28 in July for L. saccharina. Basal and mature second blades differed in pigment content in April but not in July: chlorophyll a + c in L. solidungula basal and mature second blades averaged 19 and 27 nmol.cm^?2 in April and 30 and 29 nmol. cm^?2 in July, respectively. The corresponding values for L. saccharina were 17 and 29 nmol.cm^?2 in April and 16 and 16 nmol.cm^?2 in July (95% confidence intervals approximately 1–3 nmol. cm ^?2). Carotenoids exhibited similar patterns. Species differences in pigments, carbon, and nitrogen were minor and were probably effects rather than causes of the different seasonal patterns of growth and development. The primary difference between the two species may be the ability of L. solidungula to retain multiple metabolically active blades and to fuel areal growth with stored carbohydrates during winter near-darkness, whereas L. saccharina growth is more closely tied to active photosynthesis in the growing basal blade. The cause of old blade retention in L. solidungula and the possibility of other physiological differences between the two species, including gametophytes, remain to be determined.     

Vanadium haloperoxidases from brown algae of the Laminariaceae family

Vanadium haloperoxidases were extracted, purified and characterized from three different species of Laminariaceae--Laminaria saccharina (Linné) Lamouroux, Laminaria hyperborea (Gunner) Foslie and Laminaria ochroleuca de la Pylaie. Two different forms of the vanadium haloperoxidases were purified from L. saccharina and L. hyperborea and one form from L. ochroleuca species. Reconstitution experiments in the presence of several metal ions showed that only vanadium(V) completely restored the enzymes activity. The stability of some enzymes in mixtures of buffer solution and several organic solvents such as acetone, ethanol, methanol and 1-propanol was noteworthy; for instance, after 30 days at least 40% of the initial activity for some isoforms remained in mixtures of 3:1 buffer solution/organic solvent. The enzymes were also moderately thermostable, keeping full activity up to 40 degrees C. Some preliminary steady-state kinetic studies were performed and apparent Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters were determined for the substrates iodide and hydrogen peroxide. Histochemical studies were also performed in fresh tissue sections from stipe and blade of L. hyperborea and L. saccharina, showing that haloperoxidase activity was concentrated in the external cortex near the cuticle, although some activity was also observed in the inner cortical region.     

SOME FINE STRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONS ON DEVELOPING AND MATURE SIEVE ELEMENTS IN THE BROWN ALGA LAMINARIA SACCHARINA

The differentiation of sieve elements from inner cortical cells of the stipe of Laminaria saccharina (L.) Lamour. involves the development of a well-structured protoplast and an end wall possessing evenly spaced pores which are visualized by electron microscopy. The protoplast consists of organelles which are commonly found in brown algal cells, including nuclei, cup- or horseshoe-shaped chloroplasts, dictyosomes, mitochondria, and ER. Mitochondria and clusters of small vacuoles, presumably redistributed by the surging effect which occurs in sieve elements, were routinely observed in the vicinity of the end wall. Chloroplasts were seen in progressively degenerated states in older sieve elements, yet nuclei were determined to be non-necrotic. Numerous pores along the end walls interconnect adjacent sieve elements. Each pore is traversed by a strand of cytoplasm and surrounded by plasmalemma. The pores are open and possess no callose. In this paper the sieve element ultrastructures of L. saccharina are compared to those in L. groenlandica, Alaria marginata, Nereocystis lutkeana and Macrocystis pyrifera, and a possible phylogenetic specialization of sieve elements is presented in table form and discussed.     

Growth of Ecklonia cava (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) sporophytes transplanted to a locality with different temperature conditions

Transplanting experiments were carried out to determine whether the small type sporophytes with short stipe of Ecklonia cava Kjellman (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) growing in a locality with warm temperatures, change into larger type with a long stipe when transplanted to a locality with cooler temperatures. Juvenile E. cava sporophytes, having a stipe shorter than 5 cm long were collected from Tei in Tosa Bay (southern Japan) (seawater temperature 15–29°C) and transplanted to Nabeta Bay (central Japan) (seawater temperature 13–25°C), where larger type E. cava sporophytes characterized by long stipe (ca 1 m) grow. They were attached to artificial reefs at the sea bottom (9 m depth) in Nabeta Bay to monitor their growth. For comparison, juvenile E. cava sporophytes of almost similar size growing in Nabeta Bay were also transplanted in the same way to the same experimental site. Observations of growth of sporophytes from Tei and Nabeta were carried out monthly for 2 years from November 1995 to October 1997. The transplanted Tei and Nabeta sporophytes showed an increase in stipe length and diameter from winter to spring, whereas almost no increase was observed during summer and autumn. At the end of the study period, the stipe of Nabeta sporophytes reached 25.6 cm in length and 17.0 mm in diameter, whereas that of Tei sporophytes reached 11.1 cm in length and 11.2 mm in diameter. The primary blade length was 16.0 cm in Nabeta sporophytes, whereas it was 5.5 cm in Tei sporophytes. Thus, Tei sporophytes still remained smaller than Nabeta sporophytes even under the same environmental conditions.     

INFECTION POTENTIAL AND GROWTH OF LAGENIDIUM CHTHAMALOPHILUM

Johnson , T. W., Jr . (Duke U., Durham, N. C.) Infection potential and growth of Lagenidium chthamalophilum. Amer. Jour. Bot. 47(5): 383—385. Illus. 1960.–Temperature and salinity influence infection of Chthamalus fragilis and Balanus amphitrite denticulata ova by Lagenidium chthamalophilum. Optimum conditions for infection are 20—22°C. in raw (as opposed to aged) sea water of 34 0/00 salinity. With increases in incubation temperature, the percentage of infection occurring in egg lamellae submerged in hypersaline waters also increases. Nutrition has essentially the same effect on salinity tolerance as water temperature: only on enriched agar media will L. chthamalophilum grow vegetatively at salinities well above that of normal sea water. Ova of B. amphitrite denticulata become infected by L. chthamalophilum only at a temperature of 15°C. in hypersaline water, or if the Balanus ova are subjected to below-freezing temperatures before exposure to the fungus.     

Distribution Patterns of Strongylocentrotus Sea Urchins along the Coast of Eastern Kamchatka

The distribution patterns of three sea urchin species of the genus Strongylocentrotus in relation to depth, type of substrate, surf action, and to some hydrological parameters were studied along the coast of eastern Kamchatka and in adjacent waters in 1984–1996. The sea urchin Strongylocentrotus polyacanthus dominated the open coast on rocky subintertidal sites with increased surf action and standard oceanic salinity. S. droebachiensis prevailed in shoals with lower salinity, higher water temperature and lower turbulence (enclosed and semienclosed bays). S. pallidus dominated at depths corresponding to the position of the cold intermediate layer deeper than 30–50 m with normal oceanic salinity and lower temperature.     

RELATIONSHIPS OF SEDIMENTED DIATOM SPECIES (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) TO ENVIRONMENTAL GRADIENTS IN DILUTE NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND LAKES1

Limnological gradients of small, oligotrophic, and low conductance lakes in northern New England were defined by principal components analysis; relationships of sedimented diatom species to the gradients were investigated by correlation analysis. Diatom distributions were most strongly related to the gradient of pH and alkalinity and the covarying variables, conductance, Mg, Ca, total Al, and exchangeable Al. Weaker relationships to lake morphology, dissolved organic carbon and water color, altitude and marine aerosol inputs, and the distinctive water chemistry of some New Hampshire lakes were also present. Results for 16 taxa of importance in our studies of lake acidity are given in detail and are compared to results from other regions of eastern North America. Planktonic taxa were absent below pH 5.5, with the exception of the long form of Asterionella ralfsii var. americana Korn. The two forms of this taxon differed ecologically: the long form (>45μm) had an abundance weighted mean (AWM) pH 4.90 and occurred mostly in lakes that were deep relative to transparency; the short form (<45μm)had an AWM pH and occurred on lakes that were shallow relative to transparency. The ecological advantage of a “splitter” approach to diatom taxonomy was demonstrated by examination of other taxa as well, including Tabellaria flocculosa (Roth) Kütz. These results have important implications for paleolimnological interpretations.     

Soil salinity and pH in Japanese mangrove forests and growth of cultivated mangrove plants in different soil conditions

Soil conditions of mangrove forests in southern Japan were found to correlate largely with zonal distributions of the species.Kandelia candel grew in soils with low salinity and low pH,Avicennia marina, Rhizophora stylosa andSonneratia alba in soils with high salinity and high pH, andBruguiera gymnorrhiza in soil with a wide range of pH but limited range of salinity.Lumnitzera racemosa colonized soil with a wide range of pH and medium salinity. Seedlings ofKandelia candel, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza andRhizophora stylosa were planted in soils with differing salinity and pH. Optimum seedling growth ofKandelia, Bruguiera andRhizophora occurred when plants were cultivated in soils similar to those of their natural habitats, suggesting that growth of mangrove species and their zonal distributions were regulated by salinity and soil pH.     

TRANSLOCATION OF IODINE IN LAMINARIA SACCHARINA(PHAEOPHYTA)1

Long-distance translocation of ¹²⁵I in Laminaria saccharina (L.) Lamour. followed a “source to sink” pattern. When the source of ¹²⁵I was placed on the distal mature part of the blade, the translocation was unidirectional, basipetal and directed towards the meristematic region at the blade-stipe junction. When the source was placed directly at the meristem there was no movement of label distal to the meristem. The velocity of¹²⁵I transport ranged from 2 to 3.5 cm · h^?1. The anion I^? seemed to be the only species of¹²⁵I transported. An assay of iodine content in different parts of L. saccharina plant showed much higher levels of iodine in the meristem, stipe and holdfast than in the blade. This distribution concurs well with the pattern of I^? translocation.     

Seasonal patterns of CO2 and water vapor exchange of the tall and short height forms of Spartina alterniflora Loisel in a Georgia salt marsh

Summary Seasonal patterns of the responses of net photosynthesis, transpiration, leaf diffusive conductance, water-use efficiency and respiration to temperature, light and CO₂ concentration were determined on intact plants of the short and tall height forms of Spartina alterniflora. The studies were conducted on in situ plants in an undisturbed marsh community on Sapelo Island, Ga. Net photosynthesis of the tall form at full sunlight was significantly higher than the short form except during the winter months. Tall S. alterniflora did not light saturate during any season, whereas the short form tended to saturate during all seasons except the summer. The temperature optima of photosynthesis of both forms were similar and showed acclimation to prevailing seasonal temperatures. Leaf conductances to water vapor decreased with increasing temperature and were significantly different between the height forms only at higher temperatures. Dark respiration was relatively low at seasonal temperatures, but increased with temperature. Dark respiration and the respiratory Q₁₀ of the short form tended to be slightly higher than those of the tall form during all seasons. Transpiration rates and water-use efficiency of the tall form were generally higher than the short form.The seasonal response patterns showed intrinsic differences in the capacities of the height forms to metabolize CO₂ and respond to prevailing environmental parameters. Analyses of the components of the CO₂ diffusion pathway suggested that metabolic or internal components were more important than stomatal factors in determining the photosynthetic patterns of the short height form. It is suggested that the observed differences in the physiological responses of the height forms of the C₄ species are due to micro-habitat differences between the low and high marsh. Higher salinity, lower nitrogen availability and other soil factors may limit the CO₂ and water vapor exchange capacity of the short form compared to the tall.Contribution No. 401 from the University of Georgia Marine Institute     

Influence of light on the morphological changes that take place during the development of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flammulina velutipes</Emphasis> fruit body

We show that fruit bodies of Flammulina velutipes can be induced in complete darkness after a sharp temperature reduction (23° to 16°C). However, the fruit bodies that form in complete darkness have a long stipe with an undeveloped pileus on the top (pinhead fruit bodies) and are thinner and whiter than the normal fruit bodies which are formed in the light. This finding suggests that F. velutipes fruit bodies cannot mature in complete darkness. However, when we irradiated the fruit bodies that had formed in complete darkness, a pileus developed immediately, and 4 days later the separation between the stipe and the pileus could be observed. Immediately after light exposure, the stipe also thickened and became increasingly pigmented. The stipe elongation was inhibited until 8 days after light exposure, although stipe elongation progressed very quickly thereafter. Basidospores were also visible in the gills 8 days after light exposure. We consider that the basidiospore development is involved in this rapid stipe elongation, which aids the effective dispersal of basidiospores.     

CYST–THECA RELATIONSHIP,LIFE CYCLE,AND EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY ON THE CYST MORPHOLOGY OF GONYAULAX BALTICA SP. NOV. (DINOPHYCEAE) FROM THE BALTIC SEA AREA1

A new species of Gonyaulax, here named Gonyaulax baltica sp. nov., has been isolated from sediment samples from the southeastern Baltic. Culture strains were established from individually isolated cysts, and cyst formation was induced in a nitrogen‐depleted medium. Although G. baltica cysts are similar to some forms attributed to Spiniferites bulloideus and the motile stage of G. baltica has affinities with G. spinifera, the combination of features of cyst and motile stage of G. baltica is unique. The culture strains were able to grow at salinity levels from 5 to 55 psu and formed cysts from 10 to 50 psu. Cultures at each salinity level were grown at 12, 16, and 20° C. Temperature‐ and salinity‐controlled morphological variability was found in the resting cysts. Central body size varied with temperature and salinity, and process length varied with salinity. Cysts that formed at extreme salinity levels displayed lower average process length than cysts formed at intermediate salinity levels, and central body length and width were lowest at higher temperature and lower salinity. Models for the relationship between central body size and temperature/salinity and process length and salinity have been developed and may be used to determine relative paleosalinity and paleotemperature levels. Our results on salinity‐dependent process length confirm earlier reports on short‐spined cysts of this species found in low salinity environments, and the model makes it possible to attempt to quantify past salinity levels.     

JENSENIA MACROGYNA,A NEW PHILIPPINE HEPATIC

Jensenia macrogyna, sp. n. from Mt. Pulog, Luzon, differs from J. decipiens (Mitt.) Grolle in being smaller and having longer marginal teeth, a longer involucre, and smaller cells in the wing and upper epidermis. Male plants have a plane frond and a long stipe; females, a clasping frond and short stipe.     

THE INLAND CHAETOCEROS (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICA1

Five taxa of Chaetoceros occur in inland waters of North America. These most commonly occur in waters with elevated total dissolved solids in arid regions of the western United States and Canada. Chaetoceros amanita Cleve-Euler is characterized by consistently forming relatively long chains of cells and having very spinose primary resting spore valves. Chaetoceros elmorei Boyer also forms long chains of cells which are connected by evident valvar processes; spores are nearly always smooth. Chaetoceros muelleri Lemm. may form short chains with processes between sibling valves, but also produces solitary cells lacking processes. Chaetoceros muelleri var. subsalsum (Lemm.)Johansen et Rushforth is similar to the nominate but never produces cells with Processes. Both of the C. muelleri varieties produce spores with smooth primary valves. Chaetoceros simplex Ostenfeld is characterized by a noncolonial habit, cells lacking processes and the production of resting spores with warty to some what spinose primary valves.     

Single-copy DNA-DNA hybridizations among five species ofLaminaria (Phaeophyceae): Phylogenetic and biogeographic implications

DNA-DNA hybridizations between single-copy nuclear DNA fromLaminaria digitata and total DNA fromL. saccharina, L. Hyperborea, L. rodriguezii, L. ochroleuca andChorda filum, respectively, show that these species ofLaminaria are genotypically closely related.Chorda filum is only distantly related withL. digitata. Based on the thermal elution patterns of the DNA hybrids, as quantified by ΔT_m(e) values, it is hypothesized that all five species ofLaminaria evolved at about the same time from their most recent common ancestor some 15–19 Ma ago. This phylogenetic hypothesis is discussed in relation to the history of modern laminarialean distribution patterns. Paper presented at the XIV International Botanical Congress (Berlin, 24 July–1 August, 1987), Symposium 6-15, “Biogeography of marine benthic algae”.     

SEED GERMINATION RESPONSE AND EVIDENCE FOR HEIGHT ECOPHENES IN SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORA FROM NORTH CAROLINA

A study was conducted to determine germination response to temperature and salinity and seedling response to salinity by three height forms of the salt marsh grass Spartina alterniflora Loisel. Germination tests showed that seeds cannot withstand drying at moderate temperature, as viability was lost within 40 days in seeds stored dry at 72 F. Cold storage at 43 F is adequate to prevent desiccation up to 40 days, but after 8 months viability is lost. Viability is retained at least 8 months when seeds are stored in sea water at 43 F. Germination response was good in a 65–95 F alternating diurnal thermoperiod but was poor in a 72 F constant thermoperiod. Germination response to salinity was an inverse curvilinear relationship with germination inhibition at high salinities apparently due to osmotic effects. The maximum tolerance limit for germination lies between 6 and 8 % NaCl. Seeds from short, medium, and tall plants responded similarly in storage and temperature studies. However, in salinity studies, seeds of the Ocracoke Island short form and the Oak Island tall form performed best. A logarithmic curve best described seedling growth response to various NaCl levels. Growth response as measured by seedling dry weight was best in 0.5 % NaCl solution. Seedlings grew taller in both 0.5 and 1.0 % NaCl than in 0 % NaCl. No significant difference in seedling growth response due to height form of the parent plant was detected. Thus, on the basis of germination and seedling responses, the height forms of S. alterniflora in North Carolina salt marshes are best described as ecophenes.     

ECOLOGY OF CLADOPHORA GLOMERATA (L.) KÜTZ IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO1

Cladophora glomerata (L.) Kütz. was the dominant attached alga in streams and along lake shores in southern Ontario. Maximum production occurred in summer and resulted from 2 short periods of intensive vegetative growth (June and September). Optimum habitat conditions consist of a firm substrate in shallow alkaline water. These conditions are provided by harbor facilities where man-made structures supplement naturally occurring rock outcrops or cobble beaches and where nutrients are available from tributaries draining agricultural and urban land areas. Periodicity appears to be related to temperature; the interval between the 2 periods of intensive growth during warm weather decreases at successively more northern locations. Frequent observation of Cladophora growing at a single stream station revealed that variations in thallus morphology and relative cell dimensions of C. glomerata are greater than has generally been recognized. These variations can be attributed to changes in environmental conditions and events in the annual life cycle of the alga.     

Seasonal growth pattern of an Icelandic Laminaria population (section Simplices,Laminariaceae, Phaeophyta) containing solid- and hollow-stiped plants

Lamina elongation and content of mannitol, laminaran and nitrate were measured during one year in Laminaria saccharina sensu lato from Iceland. The population contained both solid- and hollow-stiped plants. Growth rate was at its minimum from October to December, and started to increase in mid-winter, slightly earlier at 3 m than at 5 m. The increase in growth rate coincided with a strong reduction in stored carbohydrates and an increase in nitrate content of the laminae, indicating that stored mannitol and laminaran provided extra energy for increased lamina growth and/or for nitrate uptake. The results showed that stored mannitol was utilised before laminaran. The growth rate was at its maximum from April to June, and was reduced from June to July. The ambient nitrate concentration at the locality was low from May to August. The nitrate content of the lamina tissue in relation to dry weight was high during spring but was reduced to low values by July, indicating that nitrate levels limited growth during summer. However, high nitrate concentration of the sea-water and high levels of storage carbohydrates in the plants during autumn indicate that the low growth rate at this time cannot be attributed to lack of nitrate or energy in the form of stored carbon. The Laminaria population in Iceland that was examined showed morphological similarity with L. longicruris populations in Canada (hollow stipe), while the growth pattern corresponds with European L. saccharina populations.