Novel distribution pattern between coexisting sexual and obligate asexual variants of the true estuarine macroalga Ulva prolifera

Where sexual and asexual forms coexist within a species, the asexuals are often found to be prevalent in marginal habitats. This asexual distribution pattern has received evolutionary attention linked to the paradox of sex. In many marine species, there is a distributional trend of asexual modes being more common in lower salinity waters regarded as the ecogeographic marginal, being explained by negative effects of low salinities on sexual reproductive success. However, the distribution pattern of estuarine species recently adapted to low salinity waters has remained unknown. The brackish macroalga Ulva prolifera being a major benthic component of estuarine ecosystems includes a sexual variant and obligate asexual variants by means of motile spores. We examined the sexual–asexual distribution pattern of this alga along a salinity gradient in river estuaries. Surprisingly, opposite to the distributional trend of marine organisms, the results clearly showed the persistent predominance of sexuals in the lower salinity reaches than the asexuals. In addition, a frequent alternating of dioecious gametophytes and sporophytes in the sexual population was observed, suggesting the sexual reproductive process would be robustly performed in the low salinity waters. Considering U. prolifera had evolved from the ancestral marine species to become a true estuarine species of which the core habitat is the low salinity reaches, in a broad sense its sexual–asexual distribution pattern would be involved in asexual marginal occupations of the species range previously reported in other organisms. Based on the frozen niche variation model, we can give a concise explanation for the evolutionary process of this pattern; multiple asexuals with frozen genotypic variation had arisen from sexual ancestors undergoing low salinity adaptation and share the estuarine habitat with the sexuals at present.     

Examination of prezygotic and postzygotic isolating barriers in tropical Ulva (Ulvophyceae,Chlorophyta): evidence for ongoing speciation

Phylogenetic clades based on DNA sequences such as the chloroplast rbcL gene and the nuclear ITS region are frequently used to delimit algal species. However, these molecular markers cannot accurately delimit boundaries among some Ulva species. Although Ulva reticulata and Ulva ohnoi occasionally bloom in tropical to warm‐temperate regions and are clearly distinguishable by their reticulate or plain blade morphology, they have few or no sequence divergences in these molecular markers and form a monophyletic clade. In this study, to clarify the speciation and species delimitation in the U. reticulata‐ohnoi complex clade, reproductive relationships among several sexual strains from the Philippines and Japan including offspring that originated from the type specimen of U. ohnoi were examined by culturing and hybridization in addition to the ITS‐based analysis. As a result, both prezygotic and postzygotic reproductive isolation were revealed to occur between genetically perforated U. reticulata and imperforate U. ohnoi. They were also separated on the basis of sequence analysis of the ITS region. That strongly supports that the two taxa are independent biological species. Although no prezygotic barrier among the Philippine and Japanese strains of U. reticulata was observed, unexpectedly zoospores produced by hybrid sporophytes in some of their combinations mostly failed to develop, indicating partial formation of a postzygotic barrier despite a 0.2% divergence in the ITS sequence. These findings suggest speciation is still ongoing in U. reticulata.     

24-表油菜素内酯和盐度对浒苔生长和生理活性的影响

为探讨低温条件下外源植物激素和盐度变化对浒苔光合生理的影响,本文选取浒苔为供试材料,研究24-表油菜素内酯和盐度对其生长、光合色素、叶绿素荧光参数、抗氧化活性和可溶性蛋白含量的影响.结果表明: 与正常盐度(近岸海水盐度为25)相比,浒苔的生长在盐度10处理下显著增加,增幅为45.9%,但在盐度5处理下显著降低.盐度5处理的浒苔比其他盐度处理具有较高的Chl a和可溶性蛋白.24-表油菜素内酯(0.2 mg·L^-1)的加入显著抑制了浒苔的生长,尤其在盐度25处理下,浒苔呈现负增长的趋势,并大量释放孢子(配子),有效光化学效率、超氧化物歧化酶酶活性和可溶性糖含量明显降低,但可溶性蛋白含量显著增加.即在温度15 ℃条件下,可通过适当降低盐度促进浒苔的生长;在盐度25条件下,可通过添加24-表油菜素内酯促进孢子(配子)释放,为浒苔的大规模养殖提供原材料.     

Flagellar scales in Oxyrrhis marina Dujardin

Oxyrrhis marina Dujardin possesses imbricated scales of a tight spiral form on both flagella. These and the associated flagellar hairs are described in detail.     

POLYMORPHIC BEHAVIOR OF ULVA LACTUCA (CHLOROPHYTA) IN AXENIC CULTURE. I. OCCURRENCE OF ENTEROMORPHA-LIKE PLANTS IN HAPLOID CLONES1

An isolate of Ulva lactuca L. was brought into axenic culture in both defined synthetic medium and enriched seawater. Haploid clones were established and followed through several generations in both media. Plants possessing distromatic, partially distromatic or completely tubular blades in cross sections, as well as individuals that were completely distromatic in one area of the blade and tubular in another all developed from the same swarmer population. Variations in basal area morphology also occurred. Progeny from swarmers of any of these morphological types showed a similar mixture of morphological variation, indicating non-mutational variability in phenotypic expression of the blade and basal areas. A mechanism by which such variation may occur without mutation is discussed.     

Photosynthesis of Ulva fasciata. IV. pH, carbonic anhydrase and inorganic carbon conversions in the unstirred layer

Abstract. The common marine macroalga Ulva was found to have a surface pH of about 10 during photosynthesis. Under such a condition, the equilibrium CO₂ concentration within the unstirred layer would be below reported CO₂ compensation points, and dehydration of HCO₃ could not occur. Even at a compensation point approaching zero, uncatalysed rates of HCO₃ to CO₂ conversion within the unstirred layer volume could not support photosynthetic rates as measured under stirred conditions in the presence of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Based on this, it is concluded that Ulva takes up HCO₃. It is likely that HCO₃ uptake leads to high internal CO₂ levels which, in turn, suppress photorespiration and thus cause this plant's efficient gas exchange features. Carbonic anhydrase activity was measurable only in plant extracts. However, inhibitor studies suggest the presence of a surface enzyme. The possible functions of extracellular carbonic anhydrase in Ulva are assessed in terms of CO₂ hydration during emergence and a possible HCO₃, transport system.     

Adsorbents for Apheresis Prepared from Polysaccharides of Algae that Threaten Ecosystem Services

In this work, we investigated whether materials isolated from algae that threaten ecosystems can be used for human benefit. We converted acidic polysaccharides (ulvan) from the alga Ulva pertusa into soft hydrogel materials. In addition to ulvan, the hydrogels also contained alginate in a polyion complex with chitosan. Cross‐linking the hydrogel with glutaraldehyde reduced polysaccharide elution from the polyion complex gel. We also found that both ulvan? chitosan and alginate? chitosan gels were able to remove urea and heavy metals from aqueous solution. This is clinically significant, since during apheresis, toxic compounds such as urea have to be removed from the bloodstream of patients. Importantly, albumin was not removed by the hydrogels, implying that this vital protein can be returned to the bloodstream following dialysis.     

The genome of African yam (Dioscorea cayenensis‐rotundata complex) hosts endogenous sequences from four distinct badnavirus species

Several endogenous viral elements (EVEs) have been identified in plant genomes, including endogenous pararetroviruses (EPRVs). Here, we report the first characterization of EPRV sequences in the genome of African yam of the Dioscorea cayenensis‐rotundata complex. We propose that these sequences should be termed ‘endogenous Dioscorea bacilliform viruses' (eDBVs). Molecular characterization of eDBVs shows that they constitute sequences originating from various parts of badnavirus genomes, resulting in a mosaic structure that is typical of most EPRVs characterized to date. Using complementary molecular approaches, we show that eDBVs belong to at least four distinct Badnavirus species, indicating multiple, independent, endogenization events. Phylogenetic analyses of eDBVs support and enrich the current taxonomy of yam badnaviruses and lead to the characterization of a new Badnavirus species in yam. The impact of eDBVs on diagnosis, yam germplasm conservation and movement, and breeding is discussed.     

Comparative Studies on the Allelopathic Effects of Ulva pertusa Kjellml, Corllina pilulifera Postl et Ruprl, and Sargassum thunbergii mertl O. Kuntze on Skeletonema costatum （Grev.）Cleve

In the present study, we evaluated the allelopathic effects of three macroalgae, namely Ulva pertusa Kjellml, Corallina pilufifera Postl et Ruprl, and Sargassum thunbergii Mertl O. Kuntze, on the growth of the microalga Skeletonema costaturn （Grev.） Creve using culture systems in which the algae coexisted. The effects of the macroalgal culture medium filtrate on S. costatum were also investigated. Moreover, isolated co-culture systems were built to confirm the existence of allelochemicals and preclude growth inhibition by direct contact. The coexistence assay data demonstrated that the growth of S. costaturn was strongly inhibited when fresh tissues, dry powder and aqueous extracts were used; the allelochemicals were lethal to S. costatum at relatively higher concentrations. The effects of the macroalgal culture medium filtrate on the microalga showed both species specificity and complexity. The inhibitory effect of fresh macroalgal tissue and culture medium filtrate on the microalga was due to the alleochemicals released by the macroalgae. The results of the present study show that the allelopathic effects of macroalgae on the microalga are complex. The present study could shed light onto the basis of the interaction between macro- and microalgae.