Polysaccharides from the red seaweed Gracilaria dura (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

The yield and physical and chemical properties of agars from Gracilaria dura (C. Agardh) J. Agardh, harvested in Thau lagoon (Mediterranean sea, France), were investigated. The agar yield ranged from 32% to 35%. Gel strength of agar ranged from 263 to 600 g cm(-2), with the maximum observed in October. A positive correlation was found between agar yield and gel strength (r = 0.82; P < 0.01). The gelling temperature followed the same pattern of gel strength and also showed higher value in October (43 degrees C). The nitrogen content varied from 1.04+/-0.60% (June) to 4.70+/-0.01% (October). A positive correlation was noted between nitrogen content and gel strength (r = 0.77; P < 0.05). The 3,6-anhydrogalactose content ranged from 0.70 to 0.84 and showed monthly significant differences (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between 3,6-anhydrogalactose content and gel strength. The values of sulfate content were relatively constant during the studied period and no significant differences were observed. The relative high gel strength indicates that this species may be considered as source of agar for commercial use.     

Causes and implications of intra-clonal variation in Gracilaria chilensis (Rhodophyta)

Strain selection studies in Gracilaria chilensis detected significant levels of intra-clonal variation. These findings motivated more detailed studies on the causes and implications of intra-clonal variation in these and other red algal species. Our results indicate that intra-clonal variation is common among replicated units (e.g.: carpospores and ramets) of several red algal species and suggest that a larger data base probably will show the occurrence of various kinds of intra-clonal changes, differing in frequency of occurrence and magnitude of phenotypic expression. It is likely also that different species would exhibit different amounts of variation. Four types of factors may cause intra-clonal variation: (1) physiological or developmental differences among ramets, (2) localized pathogen infections, (3) several kinds of genetic changes, and (4) sporeling coalescence. Intra-clonal variation among ramets: (1) increases the possibility of genet survival, (2) explains the origin of morphological and physiological differences among ramets of a given genet, (3) explains the large population variation found in many clonal species and (4) suggests that strain selection of some economically important seaweeds should be thought of as a fairly continuous process due to the instability of some of these clones.     

Characterization of an agar fraction extracted from Gracilaria dura (Gracilariales,Rhodophyta)

The evaluation of biopolymers of biotechnological interest has stressed the importance of renewable sources from the northern Adriatic Sea. In the frame of this research program, the red alga Gracilaria cf. dura, has been studied. Agar was obtained from Gracilaria cf. dura by means of alkali treatment and hot water extraction. In order to purify the extracts, amylase and isopropyl alcohol were used. Analysis of sugars was carried out by means of gas chromatography on alditol acetate derivatives; sulfate content was evaluated by means of infrared spectroscopy. An analysis of molecular weight distribution was carried out by means of high performance gel permeation chromatography coupled with a low angle laser light scattering device as detector. Analytical data were examined in terms of specificity of the algal source utilized, and the agar fractions extracted by means of this procedure were compared with a commercial sample.     

Characterization and daily variation of nitrate reductase in Gracilaria tenuistipitata (Rhodophyta)

The chemosensory protein CSP-sg4 of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria binds reversibly N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine in fluorescent-binding assays, with a dissociation constant of 4 microM. Upon binding to the protein, the emission peaks of the fluorescent probe undergo a marked blue shift, accompanied by an order of magnitude increase of the maximum intensity. The assay has also allowed the measurement of the affinity of CSP to other aromatic and aliphatic compounds. The binding capacity of this protein is unaffected by thermal treatments up to 100 degrees C for 20 min. The ligand-binding characteristics of chemosensory proteins may help in clarifying the role of this recently discovered class of soluble proteins in chemoreception.     

Strain selection and genetic variation in Gracilaria chilensis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

Strain selection processes in seaweed often have assumed that sterile clones could be maintained for long periods in a diversity of environments without major genetic changes. However, clonal species such as Gracilaria chilensis exhibit intra-clonal variation in performance and ongoing studies suggest such changes may be due to rapid changes in DNA composition associated with growth, via mitotic recombinations. Therefore performance of a given ramet in this type of seaweed should be understood as the dynamic outcome of rapid reactions between the environment and the changing genotype of the selected strain. To evaluate this idea, we measured changes in genetic variability, as detected by DNA-fragment polymorphism using RAPDs-PCR, exhibited by clones of G. chilensis after two transfers to different environmental conditions (from field to controlled laboratory conditions and from the laboratory to large-scale tank culture). The transfer to laboratory conditions reduced the frequency of low similarity values and increased the frequency of intermediate similarity values in DNA banding patterns, suggesting the branchlets produced under controlled laboratory conditions have less genetic variability (evaluated as total DNA polymorphism) than plants recently collected in the field. Tank incubation reduced the total range of similarity and significantly increased the frequency of high similarity values. Results thus suggest the dynamic of genetic changes in vegetative clones of Gracilaria chilensis that is fast and strongly affected by the external environment. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Assessment of allozyme variation among New Zealand populations of Gracilaria chilensis (Gracialiares,Rhodophyta) using starch-gel electrophoresis

New Zealand populations of Gracilaria chilensis are uniform in anatomical reproductive characteristics but vary morphologically and have been found to separate into two distinct groups with respect to agar methylation level, namely low (24–30%) and high (43–47%). To investigate the genetic variation within New Zealand populations of this species, 14 isozyme loci detected by starch-gel electrophoresis were examined in 17 wild populations from a wide range of localities, and in cultures derived from these populations. Five of these loci were polymorphic, but the genetic variation within populations was low: of the 17 populations examined, 15 were fixed at all loci (heterozygosity 0.000) and in the remaining two populations the observed heterozygosity was still low (0.004 and 0.011). The genetic distances between the populations ranged from 0.00 to 0.43. UPGMA cluster analysis separated the populations into two groups, a northern group and a group found throughout the country. Although these two groups do not correlate with the two groups based on agar methylation level at every locality, the correlation is sufficiently striking to merit further investigation.     

Intraspecific variation in Gracilaria caudata (Gracilariales,Rhodophyta): growth,pigment content,and photosynthesis

In Brazil, one of the probable reasons for failure in attempts at macroalgal mariculture is the lack of previous studies under controlled conditions. Gracilaria caudata is an important marine red alga which is locally exploited for the production of agar. In this study the aim was to compare in vitro growth rates, pigment content, and photosynthesis in gametophytes and tetrasporophytes of G. caudata from two distinct geographical areas located 2,500 km apart on the Brazilian coast, one in a warmer area closer to the equator (northeastern population), and the other in a colder area closer to the Tropic of Capricorn (southeastern population). Additionally, the artificial ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation effects on strains were evaluated. Under UVB, deleterious effects were observed in all strains. Although the strains from the southeastern population had higher growth rates than those from the northeastern under control condition, the opposite was observed under UVB condition. Under controlled conditions and regardless of the population, growth rates, net photosynthesis, P _max, I _k, and pigment contents were higher in tetrasporophytes than in gametophytes. Consequently, when determining the real potential of a certain phase in cultivation, the tetrasporophyte appears to be the more promising for future experiments along the Brazilian coast. Furthermore, although the growth rate of southeastern strains under control condition was higher, their higher sensitivity to UVB radiation emphasizes the importance of careful selection of the most suitable sites prior to experimental cultivation. The differences in performance between the southeastern and northeastern strains provide support for the hypothesis of their ecotypic differentiation.     

Biosystematics of Gracilaria foliifera (Gigarthales, Rhodophyta)

Strains of Gracilaria foliifera (Forsskål) Børgesen isolated into culture from Ireland (where the species would appear to be introduced), England and the Atlantic coast of France were interfertile. Strains of G. foliifera from Texas and North Carolina, U.S.A. were similarly interfertile but did not cross with the European strains. The North Carolina strain was distinctly flattened in culture and superficially resembled G. foliifera from Europe whereas the Texas strain was terete or slightly flattened. Both of the American strains were interfertile with an isolate of G. tikvahiae McLa-chlan from the type locality of this species in northern Nova Scotia, Canada. It seems likely from these data that G. foliifera is not represented on the coast of North America and that G. tikvahiae is a highly morphologically variable species widely distributed from Nova Scotia south to the Caribbean. Examination of type material of Gracilaria foliifera and G. multipartita (Clemente) Harvey, together with phyto-geographical considerations, suggests that the species known as G. foliifera on eastem Atlantic masts should be known as G. rnultipartita , and that G. foliifera s. str . is probably confined to the Red, Arabian, and Indian Seas.     

Interaction mechanisms between Gracilaria chilensis (Rhodophyta) and epiphytes

Epiphytes can have a considerable effect on Gracilaria production, and Ulva is one of the commonest algal species identified as an epiphyte, reaching loads of 60% (g of epiphytes per g of Gracilaria) in the intertidal cultures of southern Chile. This study evaluates the relative importance of light reduction, addition of weight to the host thalli and nutrient depletion, as mechanisms determining the interaction effects of Ulva epiphytes on Gracilaria cultivation. Using field experiments undertaken during the main Gracilaria growth season (spring), we evaluate the mechanisms of epiphyte-host algae interaction by manipulating artificial epiphytes. The results indicate that Ulva can significantly depress Gracilaria biomass production and that the addition of weight to the host algae and the consequent dislodgement increase, appear to be the main mechanisms involved in the Ulva-Gracilaria interaction. However, the light reduction caused by the epiphytes can also partially explain the reduction in Gracilaria production. Nutrients depletion would not appear to fully account for the detrimental effects of Ulva over Gracilaria in intertidal farming areas of southern Chile.     

Quantifying heritable variation in fitness-related traits of wild,farmed and hybrid Atlantic salmon families in a wild river environment

Farmed fish are typically genetically different from wild conspecifics. Escapees from fish farms may contribute one-way gene flow from farm to wild gene pools, which can depress population productivity, dilute local adaptations and disrupt coadapted gene complexes. Here, we reanalyse data from two experiments (McGinnity et al., 1997, 2003) where performance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) progeny originating from experimental crosses between farm and wild parents (in three different cohorts) were measured in a natural stream under common garden conditions. Previous published analyses focussed on group-level differences but did not account for pedigree structure, as we do here using modern mixed-effect models. Offspring with one or two farm parents exhibited poorer survival in their first and second year of life compared with those with two wild parents and these group-level inferences were robust to excluding outlier families. Variation in performance among farm, hybrid and wild families was generally similar in magnitude. Farm offspring were generally larger at all life stages examined than wild offspring, but the differences were moderate (5–20%) and similar in magnitude in the wild versus hatchery environments. Quantitative genetic analyses conducted using a Bayesian framework revealed moderate heritability in juvenile fork length and mass and positive genetic correlations (>0.85) between these morphological traits. Our study confirms (using more rigorous statistical techniques) previous studies showing that offspring of wild fish invariably have higher fitness and contributes fresh insights into family-level variation in performance of farm, wild and hybrid Atlantic salmon families in the wild. It also adds to a small, but growing, number of studies that estimate key evolutionary parameters in wild salmonid populations. Such information is vital in modelling the impacts of introgression by escaped farm salmon.     

Unusual cell structures in tumor-like formations of Gracilaria (Rhodophyta)

This paper deals with electron microscopic observations on cultivated plants of the marine red alga Gracilaria verrucosa which developed simple galls; also sea collected material, without galls, had been studied. The galls showed unusual but characteristic cell structures, caterpillar-like bodies, containing rows of fusiform bodies. These were found mostly in the cytoplasm near the plastids, in one case connected with the endoplasmic reticulum, occasionally even inside the nucleus, and are described here, as far as we know, for the first time. It does not seem probable that the caterpillar-like bodies represent mitochondria or bacteria, but the hypothesis that fusiform bodies are related to virus-like structures is discussed. The normal tissues as well as the gall tissue of the laboratory plants contained, besides plastids typical for the red algae, another type of plastids characterized by tubular thylakoids.This work was supported by grants from Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Rome) and Ministero dell'Agricoltura e delle Foreste of Italy.     

Seasonal variation of nutritional and antioxidant properties of different Kappaphycus alvarezii strains (Rhodophyta) farmed in Brazil

Journal of Applied Phycology - Antioxidant potential, carbohydrate content, ash, minerals, proteins, and amino acids of Kappaphycus alvarezii farmed along the São Paulo coast, Brazil, were...     

Microsatellite DNA variation in wild populations and farmed strains of turbot from Ireland and Norway: a preliminary study

Turbot Scophthalmus maximus is the focus of a rapidly expanding aquaculture industry, while at the same time wild catches appear to be in decline. As a preliminary investigation into the effects of hatchery rearing, genetic variation at three polymorphic microsatellite loci was assessed in two wild populations and two farmed strains of turbot, from Ireland and Norway. Although a considerable loss of rare alleles was observed in the Irish farmed strain, no statistically significant reductions were found in mean heterozygosity or allelic diversity in farmed strains compared to wild populations. Significant genetic heterogeneity was found between wild and farmed samples from each country but not between the two wild populations. Genetic differentiation between the farmed strains was presumed to be caused by drift in the hatcheries. The utility of these particular microsatellite loci in comparing these samples and the importance of molecular genetic testing of farmed strains is stressed.     

Intercellular assimilate translocation in Gracilaria cornea (Gracilariaceae,Rhodophyta)

Assimilate translocation has been identified and characterized in Gracilaria cornea under different conditions. Carbon fixation and translocation were carried out by inserting the base part of the thallus into a bicarbonate labeled solution in seawater and exposing its upper part to the air (open system) or to a non-labeled solution above a rubber septum (closed system). After a pulse-chase treatment in the light, three separate sections of each thallus were extracted by DMF (high moleuclar weight photosynthates) or by ethanol (low molecular weight). The results indicate a high rate of active photosynthate translocation which is directly related to inorganic carbon gradients in the thallus, and probably also to sugar gradients in the thallus. Translocation parameters of Gracilaria cornea are lower than of brown algae, as Gracilaria does not contain specific translocation tissues.     

Sperm traits in farmed and wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

Differences in sperm metabolism and morphology between wild and non‐local farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were assessed by measuring metabolic enzyme activities and length of sperm flagella. No differences were observed between wild and farmed S. salar sperm with regards to cell counts or any of the biochemical variables assessed. Flagella of sperm cells were significantly longer in wild than farmed S. salar; however, this did not result in higher energy levels or different fertilization rates.     

Karyology and cytophotometric estimation of nuclear DNA content variation in Gracilaria,Gracilariopsis and Hydropuntia (Gracilariales,Rhodophyta)

Chromosome numbers of 1 N=24 were determined for three species of Gracilaria (G. flabelliforme P. Crouan et H. Grouan ex Schramm et Maze, G. mammillaris Montagne and G. tikvahiae McLachlan) and 1 N=32 for two species of Gracilariopsis (G. lemaneiformis (Bory) Dawson, Acleto et Folvik and G. tenuifrons (Bird et Oliveira) Fredericq et Hommersand). Karyotypes for these species exhibit a characteristic size difference between largest and smallest chromosomes. Polyvalents were a common feature of meiotic nuclei. Microspectrophotometry with the DNA-localising fluorochrome DAPI was used to quantify nuclear genome sizes. A 2 C genome size of 0·37–0·40 pg was determined for five species of Gracilaria (G. chilensis Bird, McLachlan et Oliveira, G. flabelliforme, G. mammillaris, G. pacifica Abbott, G. tikvahiae) and 0·33 pg for an isolate of G. verrucosa (Hudson) Papenfuss from Pas de Calais, France. Species of Hydropuntia (H. cornea (J. Agardh) Wynne and H. dentata (J. Agardh) Wynne) and Gracilariopsis (G. lemaneiformis and G. tenuifrons) were found to have slightly larger 2 C genome contents of 0·42–0·47 pg. No intraspecific variation in 2 C genome sizes was found in regional populations of Gracilaria tikvahiae and Gracilariopsis tenuifrons.     

Chondracanthus chamissoi (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) in northern Chile: ecological aspects for management of wild populations

Abiotic and biotic factors affecting seasonal variations in the biomass andreproductive condition of Chondracanthus chamissoi were evaluatedin a population at La Herradura Bay, northern Chile. During spring,increase in temperature, light, and photoperiod favored the reproductiveactivity of C. chamissoi, contributing to its growth and production ofreproductive biomass. During summer, extremes of temperature and lightavailability were accompanied by bleaching of the thalli, followed bydecomposition and biomass loss, significantly lowering production.Epiphytism and herbivory showed were then at their maximum. Analysis offertility showed that C. chamissoi was in reproductive conditionthroughout the year, with maximum for cystocarpic and tetrasporic plantsduring spring, significantly correlated with total biomass production.Production and liberation of spores and other values for reproductivecapacity showed the highest values in spring. The results of the study,coupled with information from the literature, recommend two commercialharvests during spring, at a time when standing crops are the highest, andvalues for reproductive condition predict adequate expression of the sexualphase. The time of the year suggested as adequate for commercial harvestof this alga probably coincides with the highest quality of its carrageenans,and would precede the phase of local growth cycle, where its biomassbegins to deteriorate due to bleaching, epiphytism and herbivory.