SYSTEMATICS OF THE CALCIFIED GENERA OF THE GALAXAURACEAE (NEMALIALES,RHODOPHYTA) WITH AN EMPHASIS ON TAIWAN SPECIES1

The current separation of the calcified genera Actinotrichia Decaisne, Galaxaura Lamouroux, and Tricleocarpa Huisman et Borowitzka in the Galaxauraceae is largely based on type of life history (whether the gametophytes and tetrasporophytes are isomorphic or heteromorphic with respect to gross morphology or cortical‐cell features) and on features of postfertilization development (such as the composition of the pericarp). We reexamined the phylogenetic relationships of these genera based on comparative rbcL sequence analysis, types of life cycle, and cystocarp development. Four distinct assemblages have been identified: an Actinotrichia clade, a Tricleocarpa clade, a Galaxaura clade (containing the type species), and a Dichotomaria clade made of a number of formerly Galaxaura species (D. obtusata [Ellis et Solander] Lamarck, D. marginata [Ellis et Solander] Lamarck, and D. diesingiana [Zanardini] Huisman, Harper and Saunders). Key differences between Dichotomaria and Galaxaura include the habit of the gametophytic and tetrasporophytic generations (isomorphic in Dichotomaria and dimorphic in Galaxaura) as well as the presence or absence of a persistent pericarp in the cystocarp (present in Dichotomaria and absent in Galaxaura). Molecular data do not support monophyly for the putatively pantropical species Galaxaura rugosa, Dichotomaria obtusata, and D. marginata, all of which we conclude are in need of taxonomic revision.     

Phylogenetic study of the Nemaliales (Rhodophyta) based on large-subunit ribosomal DNA sequences supports segregation of the Scinaiaceae fam. nov. and resurrection of Dichotomaria Lamarck

Gene sequence data have been newly obtained for 18 species in 13 genera of the order Nemaliales (Rhodophyta), allowing for the first time a relatively comprehensive molecular phylogenetic appraisal of the order. The phylogenetic trees generated from these data support the recognition of three families: (i) the Liagoraceae as presently constituted; (ii) a reduced Galaxauraceae including Actinotrichia, Galaxaura (sensu lato), and Tricleocarpa; and (iii) a new family, Scinaiaceae, segregated from the Galaxauraceae and including the genera Scinaia, Gloiophloea, Nothogenia, and probably Whidbeyella. The four genera of the Scinaiaceae differ from the newly circumscribed Galaxauraceae in being uncalcified, and having heteromorphic life histories in which the tetrasporophyte is much reduced and filamentous or crustose. This type of life history is found in only Tricleocarpa of the Galaxauraceae. The results also show Galaxaura to be para/polyphyletic if Actinotrichia and Tricleocarpa are recognized. To remedy this, the Galaxaura marginata species complex, Galaxaura diesingiana, and Galaxaura obtusata are removed from the genus and placed in the resurrected Dichotomaria Lamarck. Galaxaura marginata, presently thought to be wide‐ranging and morphologically variable, is shown to comprise several species. As a consequence, Galaxaura tenera Kjellman and Brachycladia australis Sonder are removed from the synonymy of G. marginata and restored as independent species in Dichotomaria for South African and Australian isolates, respectively. The Liagoraceae is shown to encompass genera previously placed in the segregate families Nemaliaceae and Dermonemataceae, and the value of the reproductive characters used to define those taxa is discussed.     

A survey of the marine algae of Milos Island,Greece

The composition of the benthic macroflora was studied in an area of shallow-water gas-hydrothermal vents in the Palaeochori Bay (Milos Island, Aegean Sea). Some species, both taxonomically and biogeographically remarkable, were collected Tribonema marinum J. Feldmann, Stypopodium schimperi (Buchinger ex Kützing) Verlaque et Boudouresque, Amphiroa rubra (Philippi) Woelkerling, Cutleria cf. chilosa (Falkenberg) Suva, Womersleyella setacea (Hollenberg) R.E. Norris). The large number of species with warm-water affinities [Halopithys incurva (Hudson) Batters, Jania adhaerens Lamouroux, Laurencia microcladia Kützing, Tricleocarpa fragilis (Linnaeus) Huisman et Townsend, Stypopodium schimperi (Buchinger ex Kützing) Verlaque et Boudouresque, Zonaria toumefortii (Lamouroux) Montagne, Anadyomene stellata (Wulfen) C. Agardh, Dasycladus vermicularis (Scopoli) Krasser, Microdictyon tenuius Decaisne ex J. Gray] is mainly due to the southern location of the Milos Island but could be also related to a homogeneous influence of vent activity throughout the bay.     

β-D-(1→4), β-D-(1→3) 'mixed linkage' xylans from red seaweeds of the order Nemaliales and Palmariales

Xylans from five seaweeds belonging to the order Nemaliales (Galaxaura marginata, Galaxaura obtusata, Tricleocarpacylindrica, Tricleocarpa fragilis, and Scinaia halliae) and one of the order Palmariales (Palmaria palmata) collected on the Brazilian coasts were extracted with hot water and purified from acid xylomannans and/or xylogalactans through Cetavlon precipitation of the acid polysaccharides. The β-D-(1→4), β-D-(1→3) 'mixed linkage' structures were determined using methylation analysis and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The presence of large sequences of β-(1→4)-linked units suggests transient aggregates of ribbon- or helical-ordered structures that would explain the low optical rotations.     

β-d-(1→4), β-d-(1→3) ‘mixed linkage’ xylans from red seaweeds of the order Nemaliales and Palmariales

Xylans from five seaweeds belonging to the order Nemaliales (Galaxaura marginata, Galaxaura obtusata, Tricleocarpacylindrica, Tricleocarpa fragilis, and Scinaia halliae) and one of the order Palmariales (Palmaria palmata) collected on the Brazilian coasts were extracted with hot water and purified from acid xylomannans and/or xylogalactans through Cetavlon precipitation of the acid polysaccharides. The β-d-(1→4), β-d-(1→3) ‘mixed linkage’ structures were determined using methylation analysis and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The presence of large sequences of β-(1→4)-linked units suggests transient aggregates of ribbon- or helical-ordered structures that would explain the low optical rotations.     

ON THE TAXONOMY OF CALIFORNIA LAMINARIA (PHAEOPHYTA)1

It is suggested that Laminaria setchellii Silva be retained as a species separate from L. dentigera Kjellman as there is no evidence suggesting they are conspecific. Further, L. saccharina (L.) Lamouroux and L. groenlandica Rosenvinge should also continue to be recognized as valid components of the California flora.     

Phylogeny,species diversity and biogeographic patterns of the genus Tricleocarpa (Galaxauraceae,Rhodophyta) from the Indo-Pacific region,including T. confertus sp. nov. from Taiwan

Among four different genera in Galaxauraceae, species diversity of the genus Tricleocarpa Huisman & Borowitzka is underestimated and requires further examination. In this study, we explored a molecular phylogeny of Tricleocarpa with an emphasis on Taiwan species and reassessed species diversity of the genus from the Indo-Pacific region based on analyses of rbcL and COI-5P sequences and morphological observations. The molecular analyses showed that species of Tricleocarpa examined are grouped into seven clades: six clades in the T. cylindrica group (the T. cylindrica complex, T. confertus, T. jejuensis, T. natalensis and two uncharacterized T. ‘cylindrica’ clades) and one clade as the T. fragilis group. Overall, at least 12 species in Tricleocarpa were detected from the Indo-Pacific region, including a new species, T. confertus S.-L. Liu & S.-M. Lin, from Taiwan. Among them, T. confertus can be separated from other species of Tricleocarpa by a thallus consisting of dichotomous or trichotomous, articulated and moniliform branches with smooth surfaces, constrictions at nodes and slightly anti-triangular in shape. The cystocarp morphology of T. confertus is similar to the T. cylindrica group by having paraphyses intermixing with gonimoblast filaments. Recognition of this new species from other species is also supported by the DNA-based, algorithmic species delimitation approaches. With the combination of molecular phylogeny and species diversity reassessment, our phylogeographic analysis supported a trend that species in the T. fragilis group are restricted in their distribution to subtropical and tropical areas whereas species in the T. cylindrica group have a wide distribution, ranging from temperate through to tropical areas.     

REPRODUCTION AND LIFE HISTORY OF THE RED ALGA GALAXAURA OBLONGATA (NEMALIALES,GALAXAURACEAE)1

Culture and morphological studies showed that Galaxaura oblongata (Ellis et Solander) Lamouroux has a triphasic life history with conspicuous gametophytes and small filamentous tetrasporophytes. Development of male and female reproductive structures is very similar and both begin with the enlargement of a terminal cell of a filament branch occupying a normal vegetative position within the apical pit of a thallus branch. In male thalli this modified branch forms a conceptacle in which spermatangia are produced. In female thalli, this modified branch forms a three-celled carpogonial branch consisting of a carpogonium, hypogynous cell and basal cell. Filament branches from the basal cell form a pericarp and the gonimoblast develops directly from the carpogonium. Carposporangia are produced in conceptacles which resemble the male conceptacles. About the time the first carposporangia are produced, the carpogonium, hypogynous cell and basal cell form a large fusion cell. Released carpospores germinate in a unipolar or bipolar manner and form small filamentous thalli. Under short day conditions, cruciate tetrasporangia are produced in small clusters. Tetraspores germinate similarly to carpospores and also form small filamentous thalli. Under low nutrient conditions, small cylindrical thalli develop on the filaments and these appear similar to gametophytes collected in nature.     

Skeletal ultrastructure of the calcified red alga Galaxaura oblongata,Hainan Island,China

Aragonite calcification in the red alga Galaxaura oblongata (Ellis et Solander) Lamouroux (Chaetangiaceae, Nemaliales) from southern China, occurs at three sites in the cortex: (1) intercellular spaces (ICS); (2) the cell wall; and (3) the inner surface of the cortex. The ICS is the principal site of calcification and contains aragonite mainly in the form of equidimensional granules ∼1–2 μm in size, although needle-like crystals up to 3 μm in length are also present locally. Granules range from densely to loosely packed. A dense and even layer peripheral to the ICS is interpreted to represent calcification of the cell wall. Coarser radial clumps of elongate crystals, forming a thin discontinuous layer on the inner surface of the cortex, resemble a cement fringe facing into the medulla, but form during the life of the alga. Calcification in these specimens shows similarities, and differences, to both coralline red algae, in which calcification is limited to the cell wall, and halimedacean green algae in which it is limited to the ICS. Some members of the Palaeozoic family Moniliporellaceae show similarities in their skeletal organization to Galaxaura.     

Surge ammonium uptake in macroalgae from a coral atoll

Surge (non-linear) uptake of ammonium, measured by incorporation of ¹⁵N, was investigated in three species of macroalgae (Ulva lactuca Linnaeus (Chlorophyta), Soliera robusta (Greville) Kylin (Rhodophyta) and Dictyota dichotoma (Hudson) Lamouroux (Phaeophyta)) from Kavaratti atoll (Lakshadweep, India). Addition of ammonium (up to 20 μmol L^− 1) led to pronounced uptake within 4-6 min, with the amount of ammonium taken up during surge phase (< 4 min) accounting for from about half to 10 times that taken up during the remaining period of incubation (5-30 min). Amount of ammonium taken up during surge related linearly to the concentration of ammonium given. Surge uptake in the dark was also substantial, averaging 80% of that in light. Capability for rapid uptake of pulses of ammonium released by heterotrophs during the day or night could thus be an important mechanism of survival and proliferation of macroalgae in the N-impoverished atoll waters.     

Biodiversity patterns of macro-epifauna on different lamina parts of Laminaria digitata and Saccharina latissima collected during spring and summer 2004 in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard

The epifauna associated with two of the most common species of kelp in the Arctic, Laminaria digitata (Hudson) Lamouroux, 1813 and Saccharina latissima (Linnaeus) Lane, , Mayes, Druehl and Saunders 2006 [synonym: L. saccharina (Linnaeus) Lamouroux, 1813] were examined in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. The aim of this study was to test whether species richness of epifauna was influenced by seasonality of recruitment supply (spring and summer) or by age of the substrate (lamina). From 20 algae specimens (ten—L. digitata, ten—S. latissima), a total of 27 epifaunal taxa were identified with bryozoans as the most species-rich group. Total species richness ranged from one to nine species per lamina. No significant difference in species richness was observed between the two kelp species. In both macroalgae, more epifauna taxa were registered on lamina in May (mean 6) than in August (mean 3). This indicates that the time chosen for sampling had a significant impact on the species richness pattern. The number of epifaunal species was significantly negatively correlated with increasing age of the lamina. There are indications that diversity of the epifauna on lamina is influenced to a large extent by substrate (lamina) surface area, environmental stress and the presence of meroplankton in the water column.     

中国尾孢菌属及其近似属研究XVI

报道假尾孢属的1个新种和1个中国新记录种：生于白花银背藤 Argyreia sequini上的白鹤藤生假尾孢Pseudocercospora argyreiigena Y.L. Guo,和生于丰花草 Borreria stricta上的半丰草假尾孢Pseudocercospora borreriae (Ellis & Everh.) Deighton。文中提供了各种的形态描述、绘图、讨论及新种的拉丁文描述。研究标本保存在中国科学院微生物研究所菌物标本馆（HMAS）。     

Use of an enzyme assay to detect glycolate in aquatic systems

An enzyme assay has been developed for measuring glycolate in natural waters. The assay failed to detect glycolate in seawater from a coral-reef microcosm where it had been found by using the Calkins technique. However, the analysis measured low levels of glycolate (<0.1 μM) in water associated with the growth of a marine macrophyte (Halimeda opuntia (Linnaeus) Lamouroux) and a freshwater phytoplankter (Chlorella ellipsoida Gerneck) that have previously been reported to release the compound.     

ALGAL CALCIFICATION IN SOME CODIACEAE (CHLOROPHYTA): ULTRASTRUCTURE AND LOCATION OF SKELETAL DEPOSITS1,2

The capitular filaments of Penicillus and Rhipocephalus consist of an inner tube containing the cytoplasm and an outer calcified sheath. The sheath originates at the cell wall and differentiates into several layers which form the outer filament wall. CaCO₃ is deposited between organic layers within the sheath and is not in direct contact with the seawater. Pores within the sheath, usually uncalcified, may facilitate exchange of gases and solutes. The cytoplasm is characterized by vacuolar inclusions of calcium oxalate needles 50–150 μm long. A closed cortical surface is lacking. Udotea cyathiformis Dec. and U. conglutinata (Ellis & Sol.) Lam. are similar to Penicillus and Rhipocephalus, in addition showing some CaCO₃ between filaments (ICS-calcification). Udotea flabellum (Ellis & Sol.) Lam. is different as the filaments are profusely branched giving rise to a fully developed cortical surface. Pores and vacuolar calcium oxalate inclusions are absent. CaCO₃ deposition occurs within cortical filaments in between layers of the filament wall and subcortically in intercellular spares (ICS). Cortex calcification shows primary and secondary deposits bearing some resemblance to sheath calcification and to coralline red algae. In Rhipocephalus phoenix (Ellis & Sol.) Kütz., Penicillus pyriformis A. &E. Gepp, U. cyathiformis and U. conglutinata CaCO₃ is precipitated intracellularly within the sheath, in contrast to Halimeda and Cymopolia where it is deposited extracellularly in between filaments. U. flabellum takes an intermediate position showing both intra- and intercellular calcification. The sheath compartment volume is between 12.5 and 7500 μm³and 5–3 orders of magnitude smaller than the ICS-compartment. Compartment size and location of CaCO₃may bear on calcification mechanisms. One condition for such a mechanism may be restricted exchange of solutes (CO₂, CO₃^2-, HCO₃^-, O₂, Co²⁺). Codiaceae; filament ultrastructure; Penicillus; Rhipocephalus; Udotea     

Screening and evaluation of different algal extracts and prospects for controlling the disease vector mosquito Culex pipiens L.

Continual application of synthetic insecticides in controlling mosquito larvae has resulted in several problems as build-up of mosquito resistance beside to negative impacts on human health and environment. Discovering new and affordable bio-insecticidal agents with high efficiency, cost effective and target specific become a crucial need. The current study assessed the larvicidal activity of eight methanolic algal extracts belong to three different algal divisions against the 3^rd larval instar of Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae). Comparative studies showed that four species of red and green algal extracts exhibited good larvicidal activity. Galaxaura elongata and Jania rubens (Rhodophyta), Codium tomentosum and Ulva intestinales (Chlorophyta) showed higher larvicidal potencies than Padina boryana, Dictyota dichotoma, and Sargassum dentifolium (Phaeophyta) and Gelidium latifolium (Rhodophyta). The maximum level of toxicity was achieved by exposure to G. elongata extract with LC₅₀ (31.13 ppm), followed by C. tomentosum (69.85 ppm) then J. rubens (84.82 ppm) and U. intestinalis (97.54 ppm), while the lowest toxicity exhibited by G. latifolium (297.38 ppm) at 72 h post- treatment. The application of LC₅₀ values of G. elongate, J. rubens, C. tomentosum, and U. intestinalis extracts affected the activities of antioxidant enzymes viz. superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase as oxidative stress markers. An increase of antioxidant enzymes activities was recorded. Therefore, a significant elimination of free radicals, causing toxic effects. Overall, this study casts light on the insecticidal activity of some algal extracts, suggesting the possibility of application of these bio- agents as novel and cost- effective larvicides.     

辽宁省恙螨生态地理分布

辽宁省已知恙螨25种,分属于2科3亚科10属。本文依据四个不同地理景观区内恙螨的优势种、常见种和罕见种,对其生态地理分布作了讨论。(1)辽东山地及半岛丘陵区：有恙螨22种。其中东方纤恙螨为优势种;姬鼠纤恙螨、仓纤恙螨、林姬纤恙螨、皆貌纤恙螨、塔米新恙螨、鸡新棒恙螨等为罕见种.(2)辽河平原区：有恙螨8种。优势种为须纤恙螨;辽姬纤恙螨为罕见种。(3)辽西低山丘陵区：有恙螨8种。其中高丽新恙螨为优势种;凹邃合轮恙螨、膜嗜翼手恙螨等为罕见种。(4)黄土丘陵台地干草原区：有恙螨2种,均为常见种,其中脆弱无前恙螨数量较多。     

六种野菜不同部位硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐及维生素C的含量

报道了6种野菜不同部位的硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐和维生素C的含量。参考蔬菜中硝酸盐含量分级评价标准和无公害蔬菜亚硝酸盐含量限量标准,结合各种野菜及不同部位的维生素C的含量,对这6种野菜评价如下:鼠麴草的叶、龙葵的叶、苋的嫩茎和叶,属于一级野菜,可以安全食用;鼠麴草的嫩茎属二级蔬菜范围,不宜生食,煮熟或盐渍可安全食用;龙葵的嫩茎、树仔菜的嫩茎,属于三级蔬菜,不可生食和盐渍,可熟食。白子菜的嫩茎和狗肝菜的嫩茎,属于四级蔬菜,不宜食用或限量食用;树仔菜的叶、白子菜的叶亚硝酸盐含量高于我国制定的无公害蔬菜亚硝酸盐含量的限量标准,所以不宜食用或限量食用。     

Antioxidant activity and mineral composition of three Mediterranean common seaweeds from Abu-Qir Bay,Egypt

Antioxidant activity and mineral composition were evaluated seasonally from spring to autumn 2010 in the three common seaweeds Ulva lactuca Linnaeus (Chlorophyta), Jania rubens (Linnaeus) J.V. Lamouroux and Pterocladia capillacea (S.G. Gmelin) Bornet (Rhodophyta). The antioxidant activity was measured with β-carotene, total phenol content and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). Seaweeds were collected from the rocky site near Boughaz El-Maadya Abu-Qir Bay of Alexandria, Egypt. The results showed maximum increase of β-carotene in P. capillacea during summer. A significant increase in total phenolic content at P ⩽ 0.05 was found in the red alga (J. rubens) during summer. Also, U. lactuca showed the maximum antioxidant scavenging activity especially during summer. Minerals in all investigated samples were higher than those in conventional edible vegetables. Na/K ratio ranged between 0.78 and 2.4 mg/100 g, which is a favorable value. All trace metals exceeded the recommended doses by Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI). During summer season, it was found that Cu = 2.02 ± 0.13 and Cr = 0.46 ± 0.14 mg/100 g in U. lactuca and Fe had a suitable concentration (18.37 ± 0.5 mg/100 g) in P. capillacea. The studied species were rich in carotenoids, phenolic compounds, DPPH free radicals and minerals, therefore, they can be used as potential source of health food in human diets and may be of use to food industry.     

A revised synonymy for Syrrhopodon trachyphyllus (Calymperaceae,Musci) and some related old world taxa

Several taxa erroneously regarded as conspecific with Syrrhopodon trachyphyllus Mont. are reinstated. These include Syrrhopodon cavifolius Sande Lac., S. planifolius P. de la Varde, S. semperi Müll. Hal., S. tosaensis Cardot and Calymperopsis katemensis Zanten (=Syrrhopodon katemensis (Zanten) L.T. Ellis, comb. nov.). Syrrhopodon ludovicae Broth. & Paris is recognized as a synonym of S. mammillosus Müll. Hal., Syrrhopodon orientalis W. D. Reese & P. J. Lin as conspecific with S. cavifolius Sande Lac., Syrrhopodon cambodiensis Tixier as synonymous with S. semperi, S. calymperoides Cardot & P. de la Varde as conspecific with Syrrhopodon prolifer Schwägr., and S. prolifer var. mossmanensis W. D. Reese is placed in synonymy with S. katemensis (Zanten) L.T. Ellis. Varieties of Syrrhopodon prolifer Schwägr. occurring in the palaeotropics are discussed.     

VARIABILITY IN THE ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF HALIMEDA SPP. (CHLOROPHYTA,BRYOPSIDALES) ON CONCH REEF,FLORIDA KEYS,USA1

The photosynthetic performance, pigmentation, and growth of a Halimeda community were studied over a depth gradient on Conch Reef, Florida Keys, USA during summer–fall periods of 5 consecutive years. The physiology and growth of H. tuna (Ellis & Solander) Lamouroux and H. opuntia (L.) Lamouroux on this algal dominated reef were highly variable. Maximum rate of net photosynthesis (P_max), respiration rate, and quantum efficiency (α) did not differ between populations of either species at 7 versus 21 m, even though the 21‐m site received a 66% lower photon flux density (PFD). Physiological parameters, as well as levels of photosynthetic pigments, varied temporally. P_max, saturation irradiance, compensation irradiance, and growth were greatest in summer months, whereas α, chl a, chl b, and carotenoid concentrations were elevated each fall. Halimeda tuna growth rates were higher at 7 m compared with 21 m for only two of five growth trials. This may have arisen from variability in light and nutrient availability. Individuals growing at 7 m received a 29% greater PFD in August 2001 than in 1999. In August 1999 and 2001 seawater temperatures were uniform over the 14‐m gradient, whereas in August 2000 cold water regularly intruded upon the 21‐m but not the 7‐m site. These results illustrate the potentially dynamic relationship between nutrients, irradiance, and algal productivity. This suggests the necessity of long‐term monitoring over spatial and temporal gradients to accurately characterize factors that impact productivity.