Timing of disturbance,top‐down,and bottom‐up driving on early algal succession patterns in a tropical intertidal community

Herbivory and nutrient enrichment are major drivers of the dynamics of algal communities. However, their effects on algal abundance are under the influence of seasons. This study investigated the effects of herbivory and nutrient enrichment on early algal succession patterns using cages (uncaged and fully caged treatments) and two nutrient levels (ambient and enriched concentrations). To determine seasonal influences, experiment plots on dead coral patches were cleared during both dry and rainy season. Of the 17 algal species recruited in the experiment plots, three were dominant: Ulva paradoxa C. Agardh, Padina in the Vaughaniella stage, and Polysiphonia sphaerocarpa Børgesen. In this succession process, U. paradoxa was the earliest colonizer and occupied the cleared plots within the first month after clearing with the highest percentage of 83.33 ± 1.67% to 88.33 ± 9.28%. Then, it was replaced by the late successional algae, Padina in the Vaughaniella stage, and P. sphaerocarpa. The effects of herbivory and nutrient enrichment on algal abundance varied across algal functional groups and seasons. During the dry season, neither herbivory nor nutrient enrichment affected Ulva cover but during the rainy season, Ulva cover was influenced by nutrient enrichment. However, the abundance of algae in this early stage was not apparently affected by either herbivory or nutrient enrichment. Our results indicated that the timing of disturbance strongly influenced the algal abundance and successional patterns in this tropical intertidal community.     

Influence of the Thin Drift Algal Mats on the Distribution of Macrozoobenthos in Kõiguste Bay, NE Baltic Sea

Macrozoobenthic communities within and outside of the drift algal mats were compared in Kõiguste Bay, NE Baltic Sea. The patches of the drift algae were on average 0.5–1 km wide in diameter covering about 25% of the total bottom area of the bay. Thickness of the mat did not exceed 6 cm. The biomass of the mat varied between 35 and 1391 g dw m^?2. The drift algal mats had no clear negative effect on macrozoobenthos except for a few infaunal species. The drift algae favoured several detrivorous, herbivorous and carnivorous species. Among the studied variables, the thickness of algal mat and oxygen concentration at near-bottom layer explained the best the structure of macrozoobenthos. Total number of invertebrate species increased curvilinearly with the thickness of algal mat having the peak value at 3–5 cm thick algal mat. To conclude, moderate drift algal mats increased habitat complexity and, thus, the diversity of benthic faunal assemblages in otherwise poorly vegetated coastal areas.     

藻类快速鉴定研究进展

综述了传统形态学方法和生物化学法、分子生物学法在藻类鉴定中的应用及其原理,系统阐述了以上方法的研究进展。在藻类鉴定中,生物化学法和分子生物学法是新兴技术,其中的分子鉴定技术,是根据物种的基因差异来定性分类物种,可以快速稳定地鉴定藻类。分子生物学法在水华藻类快速鉴定方面具有很大的发展潜力,有望得到广泛应用。     

太湖水华程度及其生态环境因子的时空分布特征

湖泊水华是全世界面临的严重生态环境问题之一,对人类和生态系统健康都有重大影响。由于湖泊水华受流域面源、点源污染、气候、水文因子以及湖泊生态系统自身特征等众多因素影响,水华是否爆发、其严重程度及时空分布特征呈现明显的复杂性。以我国太湖为研究区域,基于近年的水华及水环境的监测数据,用自组织特征映射神经网络对太湖不同监测点的水华程度进行了自动聚类分析。结果表明,太湖水华程度呈现为明显的无水华、轻度、中度和重度水华4类。不同程度水华的叶绿素a、水温、COD_(Mn)、营养盐、浮游植物生物量以及藻种(蓝藻、绿藻、硅藻)结构的时空差异显著,不同变量间的关系复杂,有助于深入认识太湖近年水华发生的时空变异特性。     

The lichen-forming ascomycete Evernia mesomorpha associates with multiple genotypes of Trebouxia jamesii

The epiphyte Evernia mesomorpha forms a lichen association with green algae in the genus Trebouxia. Little is known about the population structure of E. mesomorpha. Here, population structure of the algal and fungal symbionts was examined for 290 lichen thalli on 29 jack pine (Pinus banksiana) trees in Manitoba. Through phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences, five algal genotypes were detected that were nested within T. jamesii. Two fungal genotypes were detected that formed a clade with two other Evernia species. The genus Evernia was paraphyletic with E. prunastri, sister to Parmelia saxatilis. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of ITS rDNA showed multiple algal genotypes in 45% of the 290 lichen thalli collected, whereas all thalli only contained one fungal genotype. Low population subdivision of algal and fungal genotypes among trees suggested that the algal symbiont was being dispersed in the lichen soredium. Low fungal specificity for multiple algal genotypes and a hypothesized algal switch may be important life history strategies for E. mesomorpha to adapt to changing environmental conditions.     

A Genomic and Phylogenetic Perspective on Endosymbiosis and Algal Origin

Accounting for the diversity of photosynthetic eukaryotes is an important challenge in microbial biology. It has now become clear that endosymbiosis explains the origin of the photosynthetic organelle (plastid) in different algal groups. The first plastid originated from a primary endosymbiosis, whereby a previously non-photosynthetic protist engulfed and enslaved a cyanobacterium. This alga then gave rise to the red, green, and glaucophyte lineages. Algae such as the chlorophyll c-containing chromists gained their plastid through secondary endosymbiosis, in which an existing eukaryotic alga (in this case, a rhodophyte) was engulfed. Another chlorophyll c-containing algal group, the dinoflagellates, is a member of the alveolates that is postulated to be sister to chromists. The plastid in these algae has followed a radically different path of evolution. The peridinin-containing dinoflagellates underwent an unprecedented level of plastid genome reduction with the ca. 16 remaining genes encoded on 1–3 gene minicircles. In this short review, we examine algal plastid diversity using phylogenetic and genomic methods and show endosymbiosis to be a major force in algal evolution. In particular, we focus on the evolution of targeting signals that facilitate the import of nuclear-encoded photosynthetic proteins into the plastid.     

A SIMPLE METHOD FOR ISOLATING FILAMENTS AS “ALGAL SEED STOCK” FROM MONOSTROMA LATISSIMUM (CHLOROPHYTA) GERMLINGS,AND APPLICATION FOR MASS CULTIVATION1

Germlings were grown from Monostroma latissimum Wittr. reproductive cells on nylon ropes. Holdfast threads and some uniseriate filaments were observed to have penetrated the fibers of the dispersed ropes. The algal filaments were easily isolated and prepared for cultivation, in comparison to the methods of enzymatically isolated algal protoplasts. Under low light (60–100 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1), the algal filaments grew to form a filamentous mass. When cultivated under stronger light (300–600 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1), they grew to initially form tubular thalli and then, when cultivated under light intensities >700 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1, formed foliaceous thalli. Consequently, the filaments were homogenized into small sections and then sewed on the nylon rope for algal mass cultivation. Under high‐intensity natural light, they grew to form leafy thalli.     

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.     

A Comment on Salomaki and Lane 2019 “Molecular Phylogenetics Supports a Clade of Red Algal Parasites Retaining Native Plastids: Taxonomy and Terminology Revised”1

Salomaki and Lane (2019) proposed a new terminology to group red algal parasites either as parasites containing their own (native) reduced plastid: “archaeplastic” (allied to the old designation “alloparasite”) or parasites that contain only a host plastid: “neoplastic” (similar to the older term “adelphoparasite”). We believe this is premature. There are examples that contradict their proposed grouping, and their proposal was based on work from the mid-1990s that should be re-evaluated. We also believe that grouping red algal parasites into two groups obscures both our lack of knowledge of these organisms and the diversity that is already seen in the few intensively studied parasites. Instead of making generalizations based on limited knowledge, further in-depth study should be encouraged and will be useful in understanding these intriguing organisms.     

Why are there few algae on snail shells? The effects of grazing,nutrients and shell chemistry on the algae on shells of Helisoma trivolvis

1. Freshwater snails often lack visible growths of algae on their shells. We tested three possible mechanisms that may account for this (grazing, snail-derived nutrients and chemical defences), using the ramshorn snail Helisoma trivolvis .
2. The experiments were carried out in floating plastic enclosures in a pond and comprised seven treatments. Grazing treatments were: a lone snail (ungrazed, as self-grazing does not occur), Helisoma with conspecifics, Helisoma with the co-occurring pond snail Physa sp., empty shells with Helisoma , and ungrazed empty shells. Nutrient effects were possible in all treatments with occupied shells (lone snail; Helisoma with conspecifics, and with Physa ) versus absent in other treatments. Testing for chemical defences compared algae on fresh empty shells, weathered shells (outer organic periostracum layer absent) and boiled fresh shells (with denaturization of susceptible proteins).
3. Diatoms dominated algal assemblages on snail shells. Although the upright diatom Gomphonema gracile was abundant on all shells, it was dominant on the shells of snails housed with other snail grazers (either Helisoma or Physa ).
4. Only the lone snail (nutrients but no grazing) showed higher algal biomass, so presumably any nutrient effect in the treatments with grazers was masked. Both Helisoma and Physa were observed apparently grazing on Helisoma shells, and consequently algal biomass in multi-snail treatments was similar to that on empty shells. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that algal density was highest near the aperture of live snails, but not empty shells; this is consistent with a nutrient addition effect. There was no evidence of chemical defences against algal growth.
5. In soft-bottomed freshwater habitats with abundant snails, shells of living snails provide nutrient-augmented substrata that may indirectly boost overall snail production.     

温度和食用藻密度对发头裸腹溞种群动态和两性生殖的影响

研究了不同温度和食用藻密度对发头裸腹溞种群动态和两性生殖的影响.结果表明： 温度、食用藻密度对发头裸腹溞的种群密度、雄体密度和卵鞍数均有显著影响.高食用藻密度组的发头裸腹溞种群密度明显高于中、低食用藻密度组,其最大种群密度出现在20 ℃下的高食用藻密度组.在相同的温度下,发头裸腹溞的首次产幼溞数随食用藻密度的降低而减少,平均每个母溞首次产出的最大幼溞数出现在25 ℃下的高食用藻密度组.高食用藻密度组发头裸腹溞产生的雄体密度明显高于中、低食用藻密度组.发头裸腹溞的雄体密度与其种群密度之间存在极显著的相关性.发头裸腹溞所产的卵鞍数随食用藻密度的下降而下降,且25 ℃下发头裸腹溞所产的卵鞍数明显高于其他温度组.与温度相比,食用藻密度对发头裸腹溞的种群动态和两性生殖的影响更大.     

具鞘微鞘藻在荒漠藻结皮形成过程中的作用

具鞘微鞘藻(Microcoleus vaginatus)是荒漠藻结皮主要的优势物种,在藻结皮的形成和发育过程中发挥着非常重要的作用。为了探讨具鞘微鞘藻在荒漠藻结皮形成过程中的作用,通过实验室内模拟藻结皮不同发育阶段,研究了具鞘微鞘藻在结皮形成过程中对藻类生物量、结皮厚度及其抗压强度的影响;同时利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对藻结皮微结构观察,分析了不同发育阶段沙粒和具鞘微鞘藻之间的胶结方式和作用机理。结果表明:(1)藻结皮形成的最初阶段,结皮状态主要由细菌及小型蓝绿藻分泌胞外多糖的黏结作用和结皮表面有机质层的保护作用维持,但该阶段的藻结皮比较脆弱,抗压强度仅为(12.21±1.58)Pa;当具鞘微鞘藻大量出现后,逐步占据了明显的优势地位,沙粒间的黏结作用被更高强度的具鞘微鞘藻机械束缚力所取代,成为该阶段藻类结皮硬度提高的重要贡献者;(2)随着具鞘微鞘藻接种比例的逐渐增加,藻结皮中的藻类生物量、结皮厚度及抗压强度均呈现出升高的趋势(P0.01),当接种比例增加为80%时达到最高值;然而,当具鞘微鞘藻接种比例为100%时,各项指标却又有所下降。重点探讨藻结皮不同发育阶段沙粒间的胶结形式及微形态变化,深入揭示具鞘微鞘藻在藻结皮形成和发育过程中的作用机理,为旱生藻类广泛应用于荒漠植被恢复与重建过程提供重要的试验数据和理论依据。     

The microfauna of algal mats and artificial substrates in Southern Victoria Land lakes of Antarctica

The first microfaunal colonization study of continental lakes in Antarctica is reported. In addition to the general taxonomic composition of six Antarctic lakes, detailed community composition analyses of two adjacent lakes, Lake Fryxell and Lake Hoare, using polyurethane foam artificial substrates suspended in the open water and placed directly over benthic algal mats are also presented. Protozoans, rotifers, tardigrades and nematodes constituted the microfaunal community in all lakes. Higher metazoans do not occur in lakes that we studied. Protozoans were the most diverse of the four groups, and the first dinoflagellates reported from southern Victoria Land, Gymnodinium and Glenodinium, were collected from Lake Fryxell. The greatest number of protozoan taxa (55) were associated with the algal mats in the more productive Lake Fryxell. Both the physical and chemical properties and taxonomic diversity showed marked variability between all lakes that were studied, especially the adjacent lakes, Fryxell and Hoare. Ecological variables which regulate taxonomic diversity in other lakes of the world also appear to exert similar influences in remote Antarctic lakes.     

铜锈环棱螺对藻华水体沉积物-水界面营养盐通量的影响

于2008年在室内小型试验模拟生态系统中进行了为期1个月的铜锈环棱螺生物干扰对底泥耗氧率和上覆水营养盐通量的影响试验,根据铜锈环棱螺放养密度设置了3个处理组和1个对照组。与试验前相比,培养1个月后,所有处理组和对照组的底泥耗氧率均显著下降;各处理组的底泥耗氧率初期高于对照组,后期低于对照组,且密度高的处理组其底泥耗氧率高于密度低的处理组。除12月7日外,对照组沉积物始终向上覆水释放铵氮,且释放量逐渐减小,而各处理组中,除试验初期沉积物向上覆水释放铵氮外,试验中后期均表现为吸收铵氮。除试验初期外,处理组和对照组中亚硝酸盐+硝酸盐通量主要表现为向上覆水中释放,且处理组1与对照组间存在显著差异(P<0.05)。磷酸盐通量主要表现为,试验初期沉积物向上覆水中释放,后期被沉积物吸收。本试验结果表明,短期内铜锈环棱螺的生物干扰增加了底泥耗氧率,但其长期效应可使底泥耗氧率下降,铜锈环棱螺的存在促进了沉积物中的总体硝化速率,加快了沉积物中的N循环。     

Floristic studies on freshwater algae of Lake Gondwana,Northern Victoria Land (Antarctica)

Benthic algal mats and phytoplankton of Lake Gondwana (Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica) were investigated. Biomass, chlorophyll content and floristic analyses were carried out on algal mats. The mats are composed of two layers different in colour, floristic composition and chlorophyll content. The algal flora of the mats amount to 34 taxa (19 Cyanophyta, 7 Bacillariophyta, 8 Chlorophyta). The phytoplankton community is species-poor (only 5 taxa). Crytophyta account for about 98% of total algal density.     

温度和食用藻密度对发头裸腹潘种群动态和两性生殖的影响

研究了不同温度和食用藻密度对发头裸腹潘种群动态和两性生殖的影响.结果表明:温度、食用藻密度对发头裸腹溞的种群密度、雄体密度和卵鞍数均有显著影响.高食用藻密度组的发头裸腹潘种群密度明显高于中、低食用藻密度组,其最大种群密度出现在20℃下的高食用藻密度组.在相同的温度下,发头裸腹溞的首次产幼溞数随食用藻密度的降低而减少,平均每个母潘首次产出的最大幼潘数出现在25℃下的高食用藻密度组.高食用藻密度组发头裸腹潘产生的雄体密度明显高于中、低食用藻密度组.发头裸腹溞的雄体密度与其种群密度之间存在极显著的相关性.发头裸腹溞所产的卵鞍数随食用藻密度的下降而下降,且25℃下发头裸腹溞所产的卵鞍数明显高于其他温度组.与温度相比,食用藻密度对发头裸腹潘的种群动态和两性生殖的影响更大.     

Three-year study of benthic algal spring bloom development in a small, Danish lowland stream

Seasonal development of benthic algae was studied over a three-year period in a small, nutrient-rich lowland stream to investigate inter-annual variation in the algal spring bloom and differences in algal biomass regulation on two different substrata: fine-grained sediments and stones. The algal spring bloom was initiated when irradiance at the sediment surface exceeded 7 mol photons m^-2 d^-1 and mean water velocity was concomitantly below the threshold for bed load transport in the stream. Large inter-annual and substratum-dependent differences in peak algal biomass were observed, thus suggesting that different parameters regulate algal biomass development on the two substrata. On fine-grained sediments algal biomass development was predominantly coupled to light availability, while on stony substrata algal composition and peak biomass might be affected by invertebrate grazing.     

PHOTOSYNTHESIS/PHOTON FLUX DENSITY RELATIONSHIPS AMONG COMPONENTS OF CORAL REEF ALGAL TURFS1

Photosynthesis/photon flux density (PFD) relationships were compared among some of the major components of sparse algal turfs (green endoliths, red crusts, red filaments, Crouania, Sphacelaria)/ from Tague Bay forereef St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Algal turfs grazed by the sea urchin Diadema antillarum were 2–10 times more productive per unit chl a than when not grazed by sea urchins. The maximum rate of net photosynthesis (Pnet_max) and saturation PFDs, but not the slope of the light-limited portion of the curve (α), differed significantly among the algal turf components examined. The hypothesis that increased biomass-specific primary productivity results from shifts in algal community structure was not supported because the maximum difference in photosynthesis between algal components was only a factor of two, and the less productive components were relatively more abundant under grazing. In the understory, green endoliths exhibited higher α and lower Pnet_max, suggesting shade adaptation. Photon flux density measurements taken with a fiber optic microprobe within the algal turfs indicated that photosynthesis of basal portions of algal filaments and red crusts are light-limited in ungrazed algal turfs. As self-shading changes with grazer-mediated canopy removal, algal sublayers will contribute differentially to whole turf primary productivity.     

Effects of herbivory and the season of disturbance on algal succession in a tropical intertidal shore,Phuket, Thailand

The effects of herbivory and the season of disturbance on species composition and algal succession were experimentally tested at a tropical intertidal shore, Phuket Island, Thailand. Dead coral patches were cleared of all organisms during both the dry and rainy seasons in order to study the effects of season on algal succession and cages were set up to exclude fish herbivory. Algal succession in this intertidal habitat showed a simple pattern and took a year from the early Ulva paradoxa C. Agardh stage to the late Polysiphonia sphaerocarpa Børgesen stage. The abundance of algae during succession was under the influence of seasonal change. U. paradoxa reproduced and recruited throughout the year. Caging effects did not apparently influence algal abundance, perhaps because resident herbivorous damselfishes excluded other herbivores from their territories and maintained their algal “farms”. Unexpectedly, the percent cover of Ulva in the caged plots was lower than in uncaged plots. This pattern may indicate that caging excluded damselfishes only, but allowed small herbivores that consumed substantial amounts of soft filamentous algae in the cages.