Contribution to the taxonomy and ecology of the Azorean benthic marine algae

Algal zonation patterns were studied in two sites (Caloura, south coast and Ribeirinha, north coast) of the island of Sao Miguel, Azores. At each site two stations were studied and the transects revealed the occurrence of two distinct and well established algal zones. In the first zone, daily immersed and emersed by the tide, the algae were growing in a dense and short tangle forming a mat, referred to as algal turf. In the second zone, which was wet most of the time, the algae were larger and frondose. A list of the species of benthic marine algae occurring on the algal turf of each station is given. Of the total of 47 species found, eight are new for the Azores and another 13 species are recorded for the first time for Sao Miguel. Gigartina acicularis (Roth) Lamouroux and articulate coralline algae (Corallina oficinalis Linnaeus and Jania spp.) were the more common species. Seasonal variation of the algal turf was studied and related to mean monthly values of air and sea water temperatures, insolation and hours of light. The zonation patterns and composition of algal species were compared with those from other open rocky shores.     

Modulation of Light-Enhancement to Symbiotic Algae by Light-Scattering in Corals and Evolutionary Trends in Bleaching

Calcium carbonate skeletons of scleractinian corals amplify light availability to their algal symbionts by diffuse scattering, optimizing photosynthetic energy acquisition. However, the mechanism of scattering and its role in coral evolution and dissolution of algal symbioses during “bleaching” events are largely unknown. Here we show that differences in skeletal fractal architecture at nano/micro-lengthscales within 96 coral taxa result in an 8-fold variation in light-scattering and considerably alter the algal light environment. We identified a continuum of properties that fall between two extremes: (1) corals with low skeletal fractality that are efficient at transporting and redistributing light throughout the colony with low scatter but are at higher risk of bleaching and (2) corals with high skeletal fractality that are inefficient at transporting and redistributing light with high scatter and are at lower risk of bleaching. While levels of excess light derived from the coral skeleton is similar in both groups, the low-scatter corals have a higher rate of light-amplification increase when symbiont concentration is reduced during bleaching, thus creating a positive feedback-loop between symbiont concentration and light-amplification that exposes the remaining symbionts to increasingly higher light intensities. By placing our findings in an evolutionary framework, in conjunction with a novel empirical index of coral bleaching susceptibility, we find significant correlations between bleaching susceptibility and light-scattering despite rich homoplasy in both characters; suggesting that the cost of enhancing light-amplification to the algae is revealed in decreased resilience of the partnership to stress.     

Life-history patterns of populations of the limpet Patella granularis: the dominant roles of food supply and mortality rate

Summary Rates of algal production were measured at 6 rocky intertidal sites on the southwestern Cape coast, South Africa, where populations of the limpet Patella granularis occur. Rates of algal production and limpet mortality were recorded at each site and both factors affected limpet reproductive fitness. Limpet growth rates and biomass at different sites were significantly correlated with rates of algal production, and limpet mortality was related to the density of African Black Oystercatchers, important predators of P. granularis. Life-time gametic output of a hypothetical cohort of limpets at each site was modelled using the measurements of growth, reproduction and mortality made at each site. Limpet cohorts at sites with rapid rates of algal production were predicted to have a larger life-time production of gametic material than cohorts at sites with slow algal production rates, except in instances of acute predatory pressure. In the light of the overriding influence of food supply on the expression of limpet life-history parameters, it is imperative that researchers consider food availability before assuming that local, population-specific differences in life-history patterns are due to genetic differences.     

Different algal symbionts explain the vertical distribution of dominant reef corals in the eastern Pacific

Symbiotic reef corals occupy the entire photic zone; however, most species have distinct zonation patterns within the light intensity gradient. It is hypothesized that the presence of specific symbionts adapted to different light regimes may determine the vertical distribution of particular hosts. We have tested this hypothesis by genetic and in situ physiological analyses of the algal populations occupying two dominant eastern Pacific corals, over their vertical distribution in the Gulf of California. Our findings indicate that each coral species hosts a distinct algal taxon adapted to a particular light regime. The differential use of light by specific symbiotic dinoflagellates constitutes an important axis for niche diversification and is sufficient to explain the vertical distribution patterns of these two coral species.     

Epibacterial community patterns on marine macroalgae are host-specific but temporally variable

Marine macroalgae are constantly exposed to epibacterial colonizers. The epiphytic bacterial patterns and their temporal and spatial variability on host algae are poorly understood. To investigate the interaction between marine macroalgae and epiphytic bacteria, this study tested if the composition of epibacterial communities on different macroalgae was specific and persisted under varying biotic and abiotic environmental conditions over a 2-year observation time frame. Epibacterial communities on the co-occurring macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus, Gracilaria vermiculophylla and Ulva intestinalis were repeatedly sampled in summer and winter of 2007 and 2008. The epibacterial community composition was analysed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rRNA gene libraries. Epibacterial community profiles did not only differ significantly at each sampling interval among algal species, but also showed consistent seasonal differences on each algal species at a bacterial phylum level. These compositional patterns re-occurred at the same season of two consecutive years. Within replicates of the same algal species, the composition of bacterial phyla was subject to shifts at the bacterial species level, both within the same season but at different years and between different seasons. However, 7-16% of sequences were identified as species specific to the host alga. These findings demonstrate that marine macroalgae harbour species-specific and temporally adapted epiphytic bacterial biofilms on their surfaces. Since several algal host-specific bacteria were highly similar to other bacteria known to either avoid subsequent colonization by eukaryotic larvae or to exhibit potent antibacterial activities, algal host-specific bacterial associations are expected to play an important role for marine macroalgae.     

Early colonization of shallow subtidal boulders in two habitats

Intertidal and shallow subtidal boulder fields are relatively uncommon along the coast of New South Wales, Australia. Nevertheless, they provide habitat for a diverse suite of species, many of which are seldom found in other habitats. The types and abundances of animals found on or under boulders can be influenced by features of the boulders themselves, or by features of the substratum on which a boulder lies. Boulders can be colonized by larvae, or by adult or juvenile animals drifting in the water column or crawling up from the substratum. This experiment investigated the effect of an algal or sandy substratum on early stages of colonization of new boulders in two boulder fields by a suite of invertebrates, including gastropods, bivalves, chitons, polychaetes and insect larvae. Replicate times of three different periods (5, 18 and 38 days) tested for consistency of patterns of colonization at different times. Although the experiment was completed in a single season (within 2 months), there was considerable variation in patterns of abundances and diversity between replicate times. Thus, for each time in each period of a particular length, a different assemblage developed on the algal or sandy substratum in each boulder field. Despite this temporal variation, a few taxa showed some consistency of colonization among habitats, although most showed unpredictable patterns. The implications of these patterns of colonization for the creation or restoration of new intertidal and shallow subtidal boulder fields are discussed.     

Extrinsically and intrinsically generated spatial patterns of algal abundance in an experimental stream

Spatial heterogeneity in species abundance arises from both extrinsic (largely abiotic) and intrinsic (largely biotic) processes. The relative importance of these two types of processes can vary across ecological systems and across temporal and spatial scales. Numerous empirical studies have explored spatial patterns resulting from extrinsic and intrinsic processes, however the interaction of these two types of processes can result in complex patterns that are difficult to test. We used a unique model system consisting of periphytic algae grown on agar in an experimental stream to manipulate an extrinsic and an intrinsic process. We manipulated an extrinsic process by varying the spatial arrangement of nutrients creating both heterogeneous and homogeneous environments for the algae. We manipulated an intrinsic process by introducing a snail herbivore to the system. The resulting spatial algal patterns showed that both types of processes were important in producing spatial abundance patterns and that the patterns occurred at two distinct spatial scales in our system. At the scale of the imposed nutrient heterogeneity, algae “tracked” the differences in nutrient supply rates. The snail herbivores both reduced and promoted spatial patterns in algal abundance at different spatial scales reflecting their species-specific foraging behavior. An ability to detect differences in algal abundance allowed the snails to reduce the power of patterns at the scale of the imposed nutrient heterogeneity; however below a spatial scale of approximately 30 mm the snails could no longer detect differences in algal abundance and so foraged randomly. At this spatial scale the spatial heterogeneity in algal abundance increased and the resulting algal patterns were relatively spatially fixed through time. We suggest that this relative constancy may arise in part from a detected weak Allee effect in algal growth rates.     

Small-scale spatial variability in intertidal and subtidal turfing algal assemblages and the temporal generality of these patterns

Spatial and temporal variation in patterns of distribution and abundance of algal assemblages is large and often occurs at extremely small spatial and temporal scales. Despite this, few studies investigate interactions between these scales, that is, how patterns of spatial variation change through time. This study investigated a number of scales of spatial variation (from tens of centimetres to kilometres) in assemblages of intertidal and subtidal turfing algae. Significant differences were found in the composition and abundances of species in assemblages of turf at all spatial scales tested. Much of the variation among assemblages could, however, be explained at the scale of quadrats (tens of centimetres apart) (27±1.4 (SE)% of dissimilarity) with an additional 7±1.2% explained at the scale of sites (tens of metres apart) and 10±1.5% at the scale of locations (kilometres apart). Although the greatest dissimilarity in assemblages occurred at the scale of habitats, this accounted for a relatively small proportion of the overall variation in assemblages. These patterns were consistent through time, that is, at each sampling time the spatial scale explaining the greatest proportion of variation in assemblages was replicate quadrats separated by tens of centimetres. These patterns appear to be due to small-scale variation in patterns of distribution and abundances of the individual species that comprise turfing algal assemblages. The results of this experiment suggest that large scale processes have less effect on patterns of variability of algal assemblages than those occurring on relatively smaller spatial scales and that small-scale spatial variation should not be considered as simply “noise”.     

金沙江上段浮游藻类和着生藻类群落格局及其与环境因子的关系比较研究

比较河流浮游藻类和着生藻类群落的时空格局及其与环境因子关系的差异,有助于了解两类藻的区别与联系。然而,目前这方面的研究还不多。基于2019年秋季和2020年夏季金沙江上段干流17个样点藻类及水体理化指标的调查数据,分析了不同季节浮游藻类和着生藻类群落结构及其主要环境驱动因子,比较了两类藻的多样性格局及其与环境关系的异同。结果发现,调查河段的浮游藻类和着生藻类均以硅藻为主,其中浮游藻类以极小曲壳藻(Achnanthes minutissima)、钝脆杆藻(Fragilaria capucina)、适中舟形藻(Navicula accomoda)为主要优势种,着生藻类以极小曲壳藻(Achnanthes minutissima)、扁圆卵形藻(Cocconeis placentula)、橄榄绿色异极藻(Gomphonema olivaceum)为主要优势种。浮游藻类和着生藻类秋季平均密度分别为:2.41×10~5个/L、9.43×10~3个/cm~2,均明显高于夏季的平均密度(4.84×10~4个/L、4.84×10~3个/cm~2)。两类藻的群落格局表现出明显的季节变化,但只有着生藻分类单元...     

DIURNAL RECRUITMENT PATTERNS IN ALGAE: EFFECTS OF LIGHT CYCLES AND STRATIFIED CONDITIONS1

The diel pattern in algal habitat shift between sediment and water was recorded above (shallow site) and below (deep site) the thermocline in a stratified, unproductive forest lake. Migrating algae were caught in funnel traps, and the net transport was calculated. Diel recruitment patterns varied temporally within site and spatially between sites. For most species, recruitment and sinking was low at the deep site during stratification. When stratification began to break down in August, the migratory activity increased at the deep site, suggesting that the stratified conditions affected algal migratory behavior. Although light obviously affected algal migration, recruitment often deviated from consistent diel patterns, indicating that simple light-dark cycles are not sufficient to explain algal migratory patterns. Instead, the study suggests that some algal species have receptors able to detect several environmental variables, including light and variables associated with stratified conditions. Hence, some algal species, but not others, may be able to optimize resource needs by properly adjusting the timing for recruitment from the sediment surface in relation to the risk of being trapped below the euphotic zone by a thermocline not possible to penetrate .     

Observations on the Structure of Spores

The differential light scattering characteristics of single spores of Bacillus sphaericus and Clostridium filamentosum were measured and recorded for several hundred different spores using an argon-ion laser source (λ=514.5 nm) and a single-particle light-scattering photometer. Typical recorded light-scattering patterns were interpreted analytically by adjusting the parameters of a spherically symmetrical model to the data using a least squares fitting procedure. The size fluctuations of the cores were very small which suggests that their structure may well be identical for different spores of the same species. The greater variability of the spore surface thickness seems to indicate that these components are loosely defined during sporulation and will certainly vary with growth conditions. Based on the observed lack of free water within the cores, a hypothesis is presented that dipicolinic acid (DPA) acts as a filler material in the core to prevent free water penetration.     

Some Parallelisms in the Behavior of Pancreatic Ribonuclease and Chicken Lysozyme toward Homopolyribonucleotides

Pancreatic ribonuclease and chicken lysozyme possess gross similarities that are responsible for a common ability to form enormous light-scattering centers in cooperation with homopolyribonucleotides. The light-scattering power of the mixtures is highest when [homopolymer]/[protein] assumes some critical value that is unique for each homopolymer-protein pair. In some respects the scatterers resemble very large antigen-antibody networks. A criterion is established to ascertain the relative abilities of the homopolymers to form the centers with the two proteins. Both see polyinosinic acid (poly-I) as most and polyadenylic acid (poly-A) as least efficient in this respect.     

Hydrodynamic diameters of murine mammary, Rous sarcoma, and feline leukemia RNA tumor viruses: studies by laser beat frequency light-scattering spectroscopy and electron microscopy.

We have studied purified preparations of murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV), Rous sarcoma virus (RSV; Prague strain), and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) by laser beat frequency light-scattering spectroscopy, ultra-centrifugation, and electron microscopy. The laser beat frequency light-scattering spectroscopy measurements yield the light-scattering intensity, weighted diffusion coefficients. The corresponding average hydrodynamic diameters, as calculated from the diffusion coefficients by the Stokes-Einstein equation for MuMTV, RSV, and FeLV, respectively, are: 144 +/- 6 nm, 147 +/- 7 nm, and 168 +/- 6 nm. Portions of the purified RSV and MuMTV preparations, from which light-scattering samples were obtained, and portions of the actual FeLV light-scattering samples were examined by negatively stained, catalase crystal-calibrated electron microscopy. The light-scattering intensity weighted averages of the electron micrograph size distributions were calculated by weighing each size by its theoretical relative scattering intensity, as obtained from published tables computed according to the Mie scattering theory. These averages and the experimentally observed hydrodynamic diameters agreed to within +/- 5%, which is the combined experimental error in the electron microscopic and light-scattering techniques. We conclude that the size distributions of singlet particles observed in the electron micrographs are statistically true representations of the sedimentation-purified solution size distributions. The sedimentation coefficients (S20, w) for MuMTV, RSV, and FeLV, respectively, are: 595 +/- 29S, 689 +/- 35S, and 880 +/- 44S. Virus partial specific volumes were taken as the reciprocals of the buoyant densities, determined in sucrose density gradients. The Svedberg equation was used to calculate particle weights from the measured diffusion and sedimentation coefficients. The particle weights for MuMTV, RSV, and FeLV, respectively, are: (3.17 +/- 0.32) x 10(8), (4.17 +/- 0.42) x 10(8), and (5.50 +/- 0.55) x 10(8) daltons.     

Fungal specificity and selectivity for algae play a major role in determining lichen partnerships across diverse ecogeographic regions in the lichen‐forming family Parmeliaceae (Ascomycota)

Microbial symbionts are instrumental to the ecological and long‐term evolutionary success of their hosts, and the central role of symbiotic interactions is increasingly recognized across the vast majority of life. Lichens provide an iconic group for investigating patterns in species interactions; however, relationships among lichen symbionts are often masked by uncertain species boundaries or an inability to reliably identify symbionts. The species‐rich lichen‐forming fungal family Parmeliaceae provides a diverse group for assessing patterns of interactions of algal symbionts, and our study addresses patterns of lichen symbiont interactions at the largest geographic and taxonomic scales attempted to date. We analysed a total of 2356 algal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences collected from lichens representing ten mycobiont genera in Parmeliaceae, two genera in Lecanoraceae and 26 cultured Trebouxia strains. Algal ITS sequences were grouped into operational taxonomic units (OTUs); we attempted to validate the evolutionary independence of a subset of the inferred OTUs using chloroplast and mitochondrial loci. We explored the patterns of symbiont interactions in these lichens based on ecogeographic distributions and mycobiont taxonomy. We found high levels of undescribed diversity in Trebouxia, broad distributions across distinct ecoregions for many photobiont OTUs and varying levels of mycobiont selectivity and specificity towards the photobiont. Based on these results, we conclude that fungal specificity and selectivity for algal partners play a major role in determining lichen partnerships, potentially superseding ecology, at least at the ecogeographic scale investigated here. To facilitate effective communication and consistency across future studies, we propose a provisional naming system for Trebouxia photobionts and provide representative sequences for each OTU circumscribed in this study.     

Disentangling the roles of spatial and environmental variables in shaping benthic algal assemblages in rivers of central and northern China

Benthic algae were collected from central and northern Chinese rivers to test the hypothesis that geographic location has significant contributions in shaping algal assemblages. We used Moran’s eigenvector maps (MEM) to model spatial components and variation partitioning to quantify the influences of spatial and environmental variables on regional patterns of algal richness and community composition, respectively. We found that variation in algal richness was attributed to MEM component 2, 8, and 9 and the quadratic term of N–NO₃. Regarding abundance data, latitude, longitude, and MEM component 1, 2, and 7 were important spatial variables. Although P–PO₄, pH, and annual mean temperature were significant environmental variables influencing algal community composition, they were all spatially structured. Among the total explained variance in both algal metrics, spatial proportions were higher than that of environmental variables. We also found that abundant species of Achnanthidium minutissimum, Cocconeis placentula, Cymbella delicatula, Cymbella affinis, Cymbella turgidula, and Synedra ulna displayed clear spatially related patterns. In conclusion, the contributions of spatial and environmental variables to regional variation of algal assemblages are scale-dependent. As for our study scale (~1,000 km), spatial control may be more important. Since spatial effects could obscure local environmental impacts on algal communities, appropriate study scale and statistical methods should be taken into account in algal bioassessment. We recommend inclusion of both algal richness and community composition in study of algal biogeography, due to their different relationships with spatial and environmental variables.     

Mechanisms of benthic algal recovery following spates: comparison of simulated and natural events

We conducted a manipulative field experiment to examine individual and interactive effects of scour and short-term nutrient enrichment (4 h exposure) on postspate recovery of benthic algae in a desert stream. We then compared recovery from these simulated-spate conditions to algal recovery patterns following a natural spate that increased water-column nutrient levels for 2 weeks. That event differentially scoured communities on artificial substrata in place for a long-term experiment, significantly reducing biomass in 49-day-old communities but causing no significant reduction of biomass in older, 133-day-old communities. Thus, we were able to examine recovery of scoured and non-scoured benthic algal communities under natural post-spate conditions. Both natural and simulated spates reduced actual and relative abundances of diatoms within communities. In the manipulative experiment, scoured communities accrued biomass more rapidly than those not subjected to scour, but short-term enrichment had not effect. Accrual of diatoms and green algae was stimulated by the scour manipulations, while cyanobacteria maintained equal rates of growth in all treatments. Following the natural spate, diatom and green-algal densities increased in scoured communities, but recovery of algal biomass was slow on both scoured and non-scoured substrata, primarily because cyanobacteria, the dominant algal group on all tiles, did not increase under exposure to highly nitrate-enriched waters. Rates of algal cell accrual were inversely correlated with the amount of algal biomass present at the start of a recovery sequence. Algal immigration rates measured immediately after the natural spate and during an interflood period in the same season did not differ, indicating that the algal drift pool was not augmented by disturbance. Benthic algal recovery following spates is strongly influenced by the degree of scour generated by the event, but recovery patterns are also affected by the length of post-spate enrichment and the taxonomic composition of the affected community.     

An experimental evaluation of diversity indices as environmental discriminators

Seven diversity indices were calculated for each of fifty-eight microcosm communities. All fifty-eight communities were initiated from equal density inoculations of fourteen algal species. Each microcosm developed in one of six controlled experimental environments; the environments differing only in their temporal patterns of disturbance. Five linear discriminating techniques were used to evaluate the diversity index most useful for discriminating between these environments. The Shannon-Wiener index was best according to two of the discriminating methodologies and second best using the other techniques. Evenness was best when the Shannon-Wiener index was second best and vice versa.     

PCR AMPLIFICATION OF NUCLEAR AND PLASTID GENES FROM ALGAL HERBARIUM SPECIMENS AND ALGAL SPORES1

Plastid and nuclear ribosomal genes were amplified from an 11-year-old herbarium specimen using simple, rapid, nontoxic, and inexpensive methods. Gonimoblast tissue, isolated from either dried or fresh red algal cystocarps, was ground using the polyvalent, metal chelating resin Chelax 100. After boiling and centrifuging, the supernatant yielding enough DNA for 20 or more polymerase chain reactions. Using these methods, we also amplified plastid and nuclear genes from as few as two red algal spores. These methods should facilitate future studies of algal systematics, evolutionary biogeography, and phylogeny as well as studies of algal dispersal patterns and population biology.     

Multiple dynamics in a single predator-prey system: experimental effects of food quality.

Recent work with the freshwater zooplankton Daphnia has suggested that the quality of its algal prey can have a significant effect on its demographic rates and life-history patterns. Predator-prey theory linking food quantity and food quality predicts that a single system should be able to display two distinct patterns of population dynamics. One pattern is predicted to have high herbivore and low algal biomass dynamics (high HBD), whereas the other is predicted to have low herbivore and high algal biomass dynamics (low HBD). Despite these predictions and the stoichiometric evidence that many phytoplankton communities may have poor access to food of quality, there have been few tests of whether a dynamic predator-prey system can display both of these distinct patterns. Here we report, to the authors' knowledge, the first evidence for two dynamical patterns, as predicted by theory, in a single predator-prey system. We show that the high HBD is a result of food quantity effects and that the low HBD is a result of food quality effects, which are maintained by phosphorus limitation in the predator. These results provide an important link between the known effects of nutrient limitation in herbivores and the significance of prey quality in predator-prey population dynamics in natural zooplankton communities.