Heat tolerance in Mediterranean land snails: histopathology after exposure to different temperature regimes

The physiological and biochemical adaptation mechanisms of heat-tolerantsnail species are poorly known. We investigated cellular adaptationsto heat stress in four heat-exposed snail populations (two ofXeropicta derbentina, one each of Cernuella virgata and Thebapisana). Snails were exposed to different temperature regimes(25, 33, 38, 40, 43, 45, 48, 50 and 52°C) in the laboratoryfor 8 h. After exposure, immobility rates were determined anda qualitative and semi-quantitative histopathological analysisof the digestive gland (calcium and digestive cells) and mucocytesin the foot was conducted. In addition, the coloration of theshells was densitometrically determined. The shells of T. pisanawere significantly darker than the shells of the other populations.The immobility rates and histopathological examinations showedthat X. derbentina (both populations) was slightly better adaptedto heat than C. virgata, and much better adapted than T. pisana.The observed differences in heat tolerance seemed to be connectedto the ability for rapid and extreme proliferation of calciumcells in the digestive gland. (Received 26 November 2007; accepted 25 July 2008)     

Different growth responses of C3 and C4 grasses to seasonal water and nitrogen regimes and competition in a pot experiment

Understanding temporal niche separation between C₃ and C₄ species(e.g. C₃ species flourishing in a cool spring and autumn whileC₄ species being more active in a hot summer) is essential forexploring the mechanism for their co-existence. Two parallelpot experiments were conducted, with one focusing on water andthe other on nitrogen (N), to examine growth responses to wateror nitrogen (N) seasonality and competition of two co-existingspecies Leymus chinensis (C₃ grass) and Chloris virgata (C₄grass) in a grassland. The two species were planted in eithermonoculture (two individuals of one species per pot) or a mixture(two individuals including one L. chinensis and one C. virgataper pot) under three different water or N seasonality regimes,i.e. the average model (AM) with water or N evenly distributedover the growing season, the one-peak model (OPM) with morewater or N in the summer than in the spring and autumn, andthe two-peak model (TPM) with more water or N in the springand autumn than in the summer. Seasonal water regimes significantlyaffected biomass in L. chinensis but not in C. virgata, whileN seasonality impacted biomass and relative growth rate of bothspecies over the growing season. L. chinensis accumulated morebiomass under the AM and TPM than OPM water or N treatments.Final biomass of C. virgata was less impacted by water and Nseasonality than that of L. chinensis. Interspecific competitionsignificantly decreased final biomass in L. chinensis but notin C. virgata, suggesting an asymmetric competition betweenthe two species. The magnitude of interspecific competitionvaried with water and N seasonality. Changes in productivityand competition balance of L. chinensis and C. virgata undershifting seasonal water and N availabilities suggest a contributionof seasonal variability in precipitation and N to the temporalniche separation between C₃ and C₄ species. Key words: Chloris virgata, competition, growth, Leymus chinensis, nitrogen seasonality, water seasonality Received 19 November 2007; Revised 29 January 2008 Accepted 4 February 2008     

'St Martin's Summer': the case of an autumn phytoplankton bloom in the Gulf of Naples (Mediterranean Sea)

Phytopiankton abundance. species composition and primary productionof the Gulf of Naples were investigated during an autumn bloomin November 1985. Hydrographic data and surface phytoplanktonsamples were collected during a 3 day cruise, whereas investigationson in situ primary production and phytoplankton vertical distributionwere conducted from a second boat on three different dates.A coast-offshore gradient was recorded for most of the chemicaland biological parameters analysed. At stations closer to thecoast, which were affected by land run-off, phytoplankton populationsattained concentrations of 2.5 10⁶ cells l^–1 with amarked dominance of diatoms belonging to the genera Thalassiosiraand Chaetoceros. The most striking character of the system wasa remarkably high carbon assimilation rate (up to 1.04 g C m^–2day^–2) at stations closer to the coast. The causativemechanism for this bloom appeared to be land-derived nutrientenrichment, possibly enhanced by autumn rains, followed by aperiod of favourable meteorological conditions, which occursrecurrently in the region for a brief period around November,known locally as ‘St Martin's Summer’. We hypothesizethat a similar mechanism can stimulate phytoplankton growthmore than once every year. since high-stability penods followingmeteoro logical perturbations can occur several times in temperateregions of the northern hemisphere in autumn.     

Optimal assay conditions for aspartate transcarbamylase (ATCase) activity in mesozooplankton

The optimal conditions for storing and assaying mesozooplanktonaspartate transcarb amylase (ATCase) (EC 2.1.3.1 [EC] .) are definedin order to enable the specific activity of this enzyme to beused as an index of mesozooplankton productivity. ATCase activitywas found to be stable for more than 2 weeks when stored inliquid nitrogen, with a negligible loss of activity, whateverthe state of frozen material (cell-free homogenate or wholecells). As an alternative, –20C, –90C freezersand dry ice (–80C) can give more flexibility for storingand transporting material, provided initial freezing has beencarried out at –196C. ATCase specific activity was stableover a large range of total protein concentrations (2–55mg ml^–1) for most mesozooplankton samples, and the enzymeactivity was linear between 0.8 and 80 nmol carbamyl aspartatemin^–1 mg^–1 of total protein. The optimal incubationtime (30 min), temperature (35C) and pH range (9–9.5)for assay of ATCase were similar forCalanus helgolondicus (Crustacea:Copepoda) (G.O.Sars) and three mesozooplankton assemblages sampledoff Plymouth (UK) in May, August and November. However, theKm values for both substrateswere variable: from 3.9 to 79.1for aspartate, and from 0.83 to 3.46 for carbamyl phosphate.Such variations arelikely to be due to the presence of differentATCase catalytic potential, rather than changes in ATCase assemblage.     

Comparative Thermal Physiological Ecology of Syntopic Populations of Cacama valvata and Tibicen bifidus (Homoptera: Cicadidae): Modeling Fitness Consequences of Temperature Variation

SYNOPSIS. This paper develops a model based on egg-laying ratesand female oviposition temperature preferences in two speciesof cicada, Cacama valvata and Tibicen bifidus, from a centralNew Mexico desert grassland habitat. Output from the model indicatesthat C. valvata achieves maximal daily egg production (eggsfemale^–1 day^–1) on days when maximum shade ambienttemperatures reach 41°C; the corresponding value for T.bifidus is 33°C. These differences correlate with the thermalregime experienced by each species in its respective typicalhabitat. Simulations of the effects of variation in mean habitatambient temperature on egg production demonstrated that knowndistributional limits for T. bifidus correspond to thermal conditionsthat reduce daily egg production by only about 5–10% relativeto long-term means at the study site. The same is true for C.valvata only in lower-ambient temperature habitats. In higher-temperaturehabitats, C. valvata exhibits an unusual plasticity in the timingof adult activity and reproduction that allows it to occupya much wider geographic range than T. bifidus. Contrary to expectations,frequency distributions of predicted daily egg production rateswere negatively skewed in each species' respective ‘typicalhabitat’, and Gaussian only in thermally marginal habitats.The findings are discussed in the context of attempts to modelpopulation- and community-level effects of climatic change.     

Purification and Characterization of a Cytochrome P450 (trans-Cinnamic Acid 4-Hydroxylase) from Etiolated Mung Bean Seedlings

A Cyt P450 (P450_C4H) possessing trans-cinnamate 4-hydroxylase(C4H) activity was purified to apparent homogeneity from microsomesof etiolated mung bean seedlings. Upon SDS-polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis, the purified preparation gave a single proteinband with a molecular mass of 58-kDa. Its specific P450 contentwas 12.6 nmol (mg protein)^–1. Using NADPH as electrondonor, purified P450_C4H aerobically converted trans-cinnamicacid to p-coumaric acid with a specific activity of 68 nmolmin^–1 nmol^–1 P450 in a reconstituted system containingNADPH-Cyt P450 reductase purified from the seedlings or rabbitliver microsomes, dilauroyl phosphatidylcholine, and cholate.This specific activity is by far the highest for reconstitutedC4H systems so far reported and provides direct evidence thatC4H activity is actually associated with a P450 protein. Inthe oxidized state P450_C4H showed a typical low-spin type absorptionspectrum with a Soret peak at 419 nm. A partial spectral shiftto the high spin state was observed when trans-cinnamic acidwas added to oxidized P450_C4H. By spectral titration, the dissociationconstant of the cinnamic acid-P450_C4H complex was determinedto be 2.8 µM. This value is similar to the K_m value (1.8µM) for trans-cinnamic acid determined in the reconstitutedsystem. (Received November 20, 1992; Accepted February 17, 1993)     

Effect of Oxygen on Photosynthetic 14CO2 Fixation in Chroomonas sp. (Cryptophyta) III: Effect of Oxygen on Photosynthetic Carbon Metabolism

Photosynthetic carbon metabolism was studied with Chroomonassp. cells in which the rate of photosynthesis was inhibitedunder both an anaerobic condition and high concentrations ofoxygen. The time course of ¹⁴C-incorporation into photosyntheticproducts showed that 3-phosphoglycerate was the initial productof photosynthetic CO₂ fixation in Chroomonas sp. cells. During5-min photosynthesis, a considerable amount of ¹⁴C was incorporatedinto the insoluble fraction (mostly cryptomonad starch), andoxygen predominantly affected ¹⁴C-incorporation into this fraction.Although ¹⁴C-incorporation into intermediates of the photorespiratorypathway increased with increasing O₂ concentration, the amountswere much less than expected from the degree of oxygen inhibition.It is noteworthy that ¹⁴C-dihydroxyacetone phosphate accumulatedduring photosynthesis only under the anaerobic condition, whereasthe levels of the other phosphate esters were scarcely affectedby the oxygen concentration. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase from Chroomonas sp. wascompetitively inhibited by oxygen, and its K_m(CO₂) value wassimilar to those of terrestrial C₃ plant enzymes. (Received November 19, 1984; Accepted May 20, 1985)     

氮、硅限制对赤潮藻扁面角毛藻休眠孢子形成的影响

休眠孢子的形成对于赤潮藻种群的保存、延续以及分布扩散等均具有重要的意义。通过单因子营养限制研究氮、硅对赤潮藻扁面角毛藻 (Chaetoceros compressus )休眠孢子形成的影响, 结果表明: 培养基中氮的初始浓度对休眠孢子的出现时间有一定影响。氮的初始浓度越低, 休眠孢子出现的时间越早; 反之, 氮的初始浓度越高, 休眠孢子出现的时间越晚。氮缺乏是硅藻形成休眠孢子的必需条件之一, 当培养基中氮含量低于10 mmol.L^-1时, 扁面角毛藻可以形成休眠孢子。氮缺乏诱发的休眠孢子的形成需要大量的硅, 当培养基中硅含量低于23 mmol.L^-1时, 即使氮缺乏, 扁面角毛藻也几乎不再继续形成休眠孢子。这说明硅藻休眠孢子的形成不仅受氮浓度的影响, 还与硅浓度有关。     

Seasonal variation of reproduction rates and body size of Calanus sinicus in the Southern Yellow Sea, China

Annual variations of egg production rate (EPR) and clutch sizeof Calanus sinicus, as well as body size of females (prosomelength and dry weight), were investigated at a series of stationsin the Southern Yellow Sea by onboard incubation. Calanus sinicuswas spawning in all the 11 cruises investigated, and the annualvariation of EPR was bimodal. Monthly average EPR was highestfrom May to July, respectively, 5.97, 5.36 and 6.30 eggs female^–1d^–1, then decreased dramatically to only 1.37 eggs female^–1d^–1 in August and attained the lowest 1.07 eggs female^–1d^–1 in October. In November, average EPR increased againto 4.31 eggs female^–1 d^–1. Seasonal variation ofclutch size was similar to EPR, except that it decreased graduallyafter August rather than dramatically as did EPR. Prosome lengthof females was maximum in May and minimum in October, but dryweight was highest in November. Monthly average EPR correlatedbetter with prosome length than dry weight, while clutch sizewas rather determined by dry weight of females. It is suggestedthat egg production of C. sinicus was active during two discontinuousperiods when both surface and bottom temperature fell into itsfavorite range (i.e. 10–23°C), and different reproductivestrategies were adopted in these two reproductive peaks: otherthan the highest EPR, longer prosome length was also achievedby C. sinicus from May to July, while females in November developedshorter bodies but accumulated more energy for reproduction.     

Thalassiosira scotia, sp. nov.: observations on a phytoplankton increase in Early Austral Spring North of the Scotia Ridge

The dominant species in an early spring phytoplankton increasein characteristically antarctic waters north of South GeorgiaIsland is described as Thalassiosira scotia G. Fryx. et Hobanand compared to related species in the South Atlantic, suchas T. antarctica Comber and T. austratis Peragallo. Found ona cooperative US-Argentine cruise of the ISLAS ORCADAS 17–78,T. scotia dominated the phytoplankton in the well-mixed watercolumns of two stations more than 100 km apart. The maximumabu dance of the new species recorded in a discrete water samplewas about 315,000 cells/liter, with up to 18.4 x 10⁹ cells undera m² in the top 100 m, in spite of the fact that there was nowell-marked thennocline to aid in maintaining one water massand thus netaining the population in the euphotic zone. A fewresting spores were noted in one station. The water temperaturein the area was about 1°C, and the salinity 33.9 o/oo.     

Patterns of horizontal distribution of the larvae of southern bluefin (Thunnus maccoyii) and other tuna in the Indian Ocean

The fine- to coarse-scale distribution patterns of tuna larvaein the east Indian Ocean were investigated by a combinationof continuous transect sampling using surface tows and randomsampling using double oblique tows. Thunnus maccoyii was themost abundant species, reaching densities near patch centresof 22 m^–1 in surface tows, which is 25 times greater thanthe highest previous records for tuna larvae. Patches of T.maccoyiilarvae in areas of high abundance appeared to 5.2 for T.maccoyii.There was no change in the index when tow distance was doubledto 1200 m, older larvae. Lloyd's index of patchiness was consistentlyhigh for all tuna species, ranging from 3.0 to 5.2 for T.maccoyyii.There was no change in the index when tow distance was doubledto 1200 m, which suggests that the dominant patch size was somewhatlarger than the larger sampling interval. Sampling larvae atthe same site 4 days apart resulted in estimates of abundancethat differed by an order of magnitude. Abundance estimatedfrom a single station would depend largely on what day the stationwas occupied and where the sample was taken in relation to apatch. ¹Present address: Victoria Institute of Marine Sciences andDepartment of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria3052, Australia     

Modeling transmural heterogeneity of K(ATP) current in rabbit ventricular myocytes

To investigate the mechanisms regulating excitation-metabolic coupling in rabbit epicardial, midmyocardial, and endocardial ventricular myocytes we extended the LabHEART model (Puglisi JL and Bers DM. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 281: C2049–C2060, 2001). We incorporated equations for Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ buffering by ATP and ADP, equations for nucleotide regulation of ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel and L-type Ca²⁺ channel, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, and sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic Ca²⁺-ATPases, and equations describing the basic pathways (creatine and adenylate kinase reactions) known to communicate the flux changes generated by intracellular ATPases. Under normal conditions and during 20 min of ischemia, the three regions were characterized by different I_Na, I_to, I_Kr, I_Ks, and I_Kp channel properties. The results indicate that the ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel is activated by the smallest reduction in ATP in epicardial cells and largest in endocardial cells when cytosolic ADP, AMP, PCr, Cr, P_i, total Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and pH diastolic levels are normal. The model predicts that only K_ATP ionophore (Kir6.2 subunit) and not the regulatory subunit (SUR2A) might differ from endocardium to epicardium. The analysis suggests that during ischemia, the inhomogeneous accumulation of the metabolites in the tissue sublayers may alter in a very irregular manner the K_ATP channel opening through metabolic interactions with the endogenous PI cascade (PIP₂, PIP) that in turn may cause differential action potential shortening among the ventricular myocyte subtypes. The model predictions are in qualitative agreement with experimental data measured under normal and ischemic conditions in rabbit ventricular myocytes. ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel; creatine and adenylate kinase reactions; phosphatidylinositol phosphates; heart; mathematical model     

Production of Oikopleura longicauda (Tunicata: Appendicularia) in Toyama Bay, southern Japan Sea

Oikopleura longicauda occurred throughout the year in ToyamaBay, southern Japan Sea, and analysis of its size compositionand maturity revealed that reproduction was continuous overtheyear. Somatic growth production (P_g) varied with season from0.03 to 103 mg carbon (C) m^–2day^–1 (annual P_g 4.5g C m^–2), and house production (P_e) from 0.11 to 266 mgC m^–2 day^–1 (annualP_e 11.3 g C m^–2). The annualP_g/B ratio was 176. Compared with production data of some predominantzooplankton species in Toyama Bay, it is suggested that despitetheir smaller biomass, appendicularians are an important secondaryproducer.     

Larval and early post-larval stages in the abbreviated development of Heterosquilla tricarinata (Claus, 1871) (Crustacea, Stomatopoda)

Heterosquilla tricarinata was laboratory-cultured through itscomplete larval development and found to have one propelagicand two pelagic larval stages prior to metamorphosis to thejuvenile. These larval stages, the first juvenile, and relevantportions of the second juvenile stage, are described and figured.Individual larvae do not change in size during intermoult periods.Larvae occurring in the plankton show a progressive decreasein mean size between early (September) and late (November) springtime.Reasons for this are suggested. The first pelagic stage of H.tricarinata is anatomically very advanced in development, andthe number of pelagic stages very few, in comparison with otherknown stomatopod life-histories. Ecological implications ofthis are discussed in relation to the high-latitude distributionof the species. Comparison is made between the final pelagicstage of H. tricarinata and that of its congenor H. brazieri. ^*Permanent address: Zoology Department, University of Queensland,Brisbane, Australia     

Hyperscums of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa in a hypertrophic lake (Hartbeespoort Dam, South Africa)

It is proposed that surface scums of densely packed planktoniccyanobacteria (blue-green algae) which exist for weeks to months,measure several decimeters in thickness and are covered by acrust of photo-oxidized cells, be called hyperscums. Hyperscumsof Microcystis aeruginosa formed during prolonged periods ofcalm weather in wind-protected sites in a hypertrophic lakesubject to low wind speeds (Hart beespoort Dam, South Africa).A hyperscum that extended over 1–2 hectares and persistedfor 103 days during winter 1983 was studied. Chlorophyll a concentrationsranged from 100 to 300 mg l^–2 Microcystis cell concentrationsreached 1.76x10⁹ cells ml^–1 or 116 cm³l^–1. The hyperscumenvironment was anoxic, aphotic, with a fluctuating temperatureregime and low pH values. The densely packed Microcystis cellssurvived these conditions for more than 2 months. This was shownby comparing the potential photosynthetic capacity of Microcystisfrom the hyperscum with that of Microcystis from the main basinof the lake. However, after 3 months the hyperscum algae losttheir photosynthetic capacity and decomposition processes prevailed.The hyperscum gradually shrank in size until a storm causedits complete disintegration.     

On the trophic fate of Phaeocystis pouchetii (Harlot). III. Functional responses in grazing demonstrated on juvenile stages of Calanus finmarchicus (Copepoda) fed diatoms and Phaeocystis

The objective of this study was to quantify the functional responsein feeding rate in the various developmental stages of Calanusfinmarchicus to different concentrations of the diatoms Thalassiosiranordenskioeldii and Porosira glacialis, and the haptophyseanPhaeocystis pouchetii. Grazing of copepodite stage I–VC.finmarchicus was measured using two different approaches.Feeding rates were obtained from either incubation experiments,estimating the rate of removal of particles from suspension,or by quantifying the turnover rate of the plant pigments inthe gut. Clearance as a function of algal concentration (1–30µg plant pigment 1^–1) was described in juvenilestages of C.finmarchicus fed the diatoms T.nordenskioeldii [20µm equivalent spherical diameter (ESD)], P.glacialis (40µm ESD), and two size categories (30–100 µmand >100 µm ESD) of the gelatinous alga P.pouchetii.When the copepodite stages were fed T.nordenskioeldii, the gutcontent of plant pigments was in general higher than when fedP.glacialis. Rates obtained were variable when the same copepoditestages were offered the two size categories of P.pouchetii,but within the same order of magnitude as those obtained forthe larger diatom. At unialgal diets, diatoms were more readilyconsumed than the larger size fraction among colonies of P.pouchetiiby copepodite stage I–III C.finmarchicus. But given anappropriate prey size, C.finmarchicus grazed both diatoms andcolonies of gelatinous algae at equal rates. A linear relationshipbetween gut content and food concentrations <10 µgchlorophyll 1^–1 was found. This indicates that the ingestionrate in C.finmarchicus is directly proportional to the ambientfood concentration during the most productive period in Mayand June in high latitudes irrespective of algal species present. ¹Present address: Marine Biological Laboratory, University ofCopenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, DK-3000 Helsingør, Denmark ²Present address: Greater Copenhagen Council, Gl. KøgeLandevej 1–3, DK-2550 Valby, Denmark     

TEMPORAL VARIATION IN FORAGING BEHAVIOUR OF PATELLA GRANULARIS (PATELLOGASTROPODA) AND SIPHONARIA CONCINNA (BASOMMATOPHORA) ON A SOUTH AFRICAN SHORE

Foraging activity of two mid- to low- shore species of limpet,Patella granulans (Prosobranchia) and Siphonaria concinna (Pulmonata)from an exposed shore on the Eastern Cape coast of South Africawas monitored. In both species, activity was compared duringspring and neap tides and, in P. granularis between summer andwinter. Rhythms of activity of the two species were similar,with foraging excursions being mainly associated with nocturnallow tide times, although some P. granularis foraged during daytimelow tides. It is suggested that foraging excursions in P. granularisare triggered by wave action. Both species foraged further onspring tides than on neap tides and this is suggested to bea result of the limited time limpets have to forage. P. granulariswas also found to forage further during summer when comparedto winter and the possibility that seasonal micro-algal productivityinfluences foraging distances in limpets is discussed. The foraging activity of both species could be divided into3 distinct phases, a relatively rapid outward phase, a muchslower foraging phase and a rapid homeward phase. Whether ornot these limpets graze throughout an excursion is not known.S. concinna was found to home to a fixed scar, although duringthe experiment some scar-swapping occurred. P. granularis didnot home to a fixed scar but possessed a ‘home range’(approx. 5 cm²) to which it returned after each excursion. Patella granularis was found to move randomly during foraging,whilst S. concinna foraged in a non-random direction -whichtook individuals upshore. No tidal-influence is thought to bepresent in this case and the possibility of a learning componentin the foraging behaviour of certain limpet species in relationto the return to optimal feeding patches is discussed. (Received 18 May 1996; accepted 2 September 1996)     

The measurement of primary productivity in a high-rate oxidation pond (HROP)

A high-rate oxidation pond is studied as a model system forcomparing ¹⁴C and oxygen evolution methods as tools for measuringprimary productivity in hypertrophic aquatic systems. Our resultsindicate that at very dense algal populations (up to 5 mg chl.a l^–1) and high photosynthetic rates, ¹⁴C based resultsmay severely underestimate primary productivity, unless a wayis found to keep incubation times very short. Results obtainedwith our oxygen electrode were almost an order of magnitudehigher than those obtained by all ¹⁴C procedures. These highervalues correspond fairly well with a field-tested computer-simulationmodel, as well as with direct harvest data obtained at the samepond when operated under similar conditions. The examinationof the size-fractionation of the photosynthetic activity underscoredthe important contribution of nannoplanktonic algae to the totalproduction of the system. ^*This paper is the result of a study made at the Group for AquaticPrimary Productivity (GAP), Second International Workshop heldat the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa in May1984     

Selective Inhibition of Type II Fatty Acid Synthetase by the Antibiotic Thiolactomycin

The antibiotic thiolactomycin inhibits the fatty acid synthesisfrom both [1-¹⁴C]- acetate and [2-¹⁴C]malonyl-CoA of spinachleaves, developing castor bean endosperms and avocado mesocarp.On the other hand, fatty acid synthetases of Brevibacteriumammoniagenes and Corynebacterium glutamicum are much less sensitiveto this antibiotic. As has been indicated that thiolactomycininhibits fatty acid synthetase of Escherichia coli but has littleeffect on the synthetases of yeast and rat liver [Hayashi etal. (1983) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.. 115: 1108], thiolactomycinis suggested to be a selective inhibitor of type II fatty acidsynthetases. (Received November 10, 1983; Accepted December 17, 1983)     

Exposure of Dunaliella salina to Low Temperature Mimics the High Light-Induced Accumulation of Carotenoids and the Carotenoid Binding Protein (Cbr)

We report that growth of Dunaliella salina at either 13°C/150µmol m^–2s^–1 or 30°C/2,500 µmol m^–2s^–1 results in the accumulation of comparable levels ofcarotenoids and the zeaxanthin-binding protein, Cbr. We concludethat carotenoid and Cbr abundance in this green alga respondto changes in PSII ‘excitation pressure’ ratherthan to high light per se. (Received September 19, 1996; Accepted November 20, 1996)